[Expression of M3 receptor gene in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to dimethoate].
OBJECTIVE
To study the expression of muscarinic receptor M(3) gene in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and to explore its role in the adverse effects of OPPs.


METHODS
The lymphocytes of peripheral blood from 33 workers exposed to dimethoate and 15 control people were isolated and treated with saline and dimethoate respectively in vitro. RT-PCR technique was used to determine M(3) gene expression. Basal and inducible gene expression levels were measured.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in basal gene expression level between exposed group and control group, while the inducible gene expression level was significantly higher in exposure group (1.92 +/- 1.07) than in control group (1.22 +/- 0.19) and basal level (1.49 +/- 0.45, P < 0.05). No differences in basal and inducible gene expression level were found between male and female people in both exposed and control group. The level of inducible M(3) gene expression increased with the increase in length of exposure time [< 5 a: (1.69 +/- 0.95), 5 - 25 a: (1.91 +/- 1.03), > 25 a: (2.09 +/- 1.25), the latter was significantly different from that of < 5 a (P < 0.05)].


CONCLUSIONS
After long-term exposure to OPPs, the basal M(3) receptor gene expression level in the exposed workers did not show any difference from the control group, but the inducible gene expression level (treated with dimethoate in vitro) was increased and related to the extent of exposure to dimethoate.
Sun
Yun-guang
YG
School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Zhou
Zhi-jun
ZJ
Zhang
Xue-mei
XM
Gu
Xi-an
XA
Jin
Tai-yi
TY
D004117:Dimethoate / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043587:Receptor, Muscarinic M3 / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D007306:Insecticides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043587:Receptor, Muscarinic M3; D004117:Dimethoate