Mechanisms of Organophosphate Toxicity and Detoxication with Emphasis on Studies in Croatia

Abstract

This review comprises studies on the mechanisms of toxicity and detoxication of organophosphorus (OP) compounds done in Croatia in different research areas. One area is the synthesis of antidotes against OP poisoning and their in vivo testing in experimental animals. In vitro studies included in this review focus on the mechanisms of reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), protection of cholinesterases from inhibition by OPs, and reactivation of phosphylated cholinesterases. The third area comprises distribution profiles of BChE and paraoxonase (PON) phenotypes in selected population groups and the detection of OPs and metabolites in humans. Finally, methods are described for the detection of OP compounds in human blood and other media by means of cholinesterase inhibition.

The effect of chlorpyrifos upon ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum and biomechanics of skeletal muscle contraction

“…OPI may enter organism via dermal, oral or respiratory pathways and cause poisoning affecting neuromuscular signal exchange resulting in skeletal muscle pathologies [1][2][3][4].…”

Acute organo-phosphorus pesticide poisoning in North Karnataka, India: oxidative damage, haemoglobin level and total leukocyte

“…Clinical effects are manifested via activation of the autonomic and central nervous systems and at nicotinic receptors on skeletal muscle. BChE like other serine esterase reacts with OP compounds forming phosphorylated esterases 3 . The leading cause of death in OP poisoning is respiratory failure.…”

Epidemiological Studies of Anticholinesterase Pesticide Poisoning in Greece

“…With restrictions having been imposed on the use of most of the persistent organochlorine pesticides in the 1970s, the less persistent but highly effective anticholinesterase insecticides became the insecticides of choice. The problems of acute toxicity accordingly increased as the problems of chronic toxicity decreased (Eddleston et al, 2002;Reimer et al, 2007).…”