Evaluation of oxidative stress and genotoxicity in organophosphorus insecticide formulators.
The aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxicity and oxidative stress in workers who formulate organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. In this survey, blood leukocytes and erythrocytes of a group of 21 pesticide formulating workers and an equal number of control subjects were examined for genotoxicity and oxidative stress parameters. The mean comet tail length and mean comet length were used to measure DNA damage. Lipid peroxidation level, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activities in erythrocytes were analysed as biomarkers of oxidative stress. In addition, the acetylcholinesterase activity was measured as a biomarker of toxicity. The average duration of employment of workers in the factory was 97 months. Results indicated that chronic exposure (multiple-dose, greater than or equal to 6 months duration) to OP pesticides was associated with increased activities of catalase, SOD and glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes. The level of lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase activity did not show any significant differences between the two groups. The results also indicated that chronic exposure to OP pesticides was associated with increased DNA damage. It is concluded that human chronic exposure to OP pesticides may result in stimulated antioxidant enzymes and increased DNA damage in the absence of depressed acetylcholinesterase levels. Routine genotoxicity monitoring concomitant to acetylcholinesterase activity in workers occupationally exposed to OP insecticides is suggested.
Shadnia
Shahin
S
Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Azizi
Ebrahim
E
Hosseini
Rohollah
R
Khoei
Samideh
S
Fouladdel
Shamileh
S
Pajoumand
Abdolkarim
A
Jalali
Nasser
N
Abdollahi
Mohammad
M
D000328:Adult; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D020552:Comet Assay; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood; D004249:DNA Damage; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood
D007306:Insecticides; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D004247:DNA; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase