[Effects of isocarbophos on the integrity of epidermic cell membrane of human skin].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of isocarbophos, a new and highly effective organophosphorus pesticide on the membranes of keratinocytes.


METHODS
The epidermic cells of human skin cultured in the medium were adopted as a biological material. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was used as an indicator. We tested the activities of LDH and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the medium in different isocarbophos dosage conditions.


RESULTS
It was found that the activity of LDH in the medium decreased with the increase of isocarbophos dosage. The LDH activities of the dosage groups were statistically different from those of the positive and negative groups. The ALP activities were of no significant difference between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The above findings reveal that isocarbophos does not damage the membranes of keratinocytes directly, however it inhibits the LDH of human skin keratinocytes; thus it is suggested that isocarbophos like most organophosphorus pesticides used widely can pass through the intact human skin and poison the body before the skin is damaged. Therefore, protection during work hours is of paramount importance.
Yang
Y
Y
Labor Hygiene Branch, Preventive Medicine Department, Kunming Medical College, Kunming 650031, China.
Zhou
M
M
Zhang
H
H
Mao
Y
Y
Guo
M
M
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008294:Malathion / Q000633:toxicity*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
D007306:Insecticides; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D008294:Malathion