Organophosphate-based pesticides and genetic damage implicated in bladder cancer.
Organophosphate-based pesticides have been associated with pathology and chromosomal damage in humans. There are also epidemiologic links with cancer. The few screening tests for low-level occupational exposure are of doubtful sensitivity; this investigation evaluated four methods. Blood samples were studied from 10 farmers before and after occupational exposure to organophosphate-based pesticides and five unexposed controls. The standard cholinesterase test was insensitive to the exposure (P=0.815). However, a significant increase in Howell-Jolly bodies within erythrocytes was observed (P=0.001). Cytogenetic studies on routine and aphidicolin-induced blood cultures revealed that following organophosphate exposure the total number of gaps and breaks on human chromosomes was significantly increased (P=0.004 and P=0.0006, respectively). We concluded that Howell-Jolly body and fragile site analysis were sensitive indicators of nuclear damage resulting from low-level occupational exposure to organophosphate. Such nuclear damage could be implicated in carcinogenesis. The development of bladder cancer is one such example.
Webster
Lucy R
LR
School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia.
McKenzie
Geoff H
GH
Moriarty
Helen T
HT
D016590:Aphidicolin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000378:metabolism; D043283:Chromosome Fragile Sites; D002873:Chromosome Fragility; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004908:Erythrocyte Inclusions / Q000473:pathology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007306:Insecticides; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D016590:Aphidicolin; D002802:Cholinesterases