title: Hematological and hepatic alterations in Brazilian population heavily exposed to organochlorine pesticides.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of hematological and hepatic alterations and possible association with serum levels of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), p,p'-DDE, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) among residents in an area heavily contaminated with organochlorine (OC) pesticides. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 415 male and 432 female residents aged >14 years. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for OC pesticides concentrations and biochemical parameters. Frequencies of hematological and hepatic alterations were calculated for each gender. Association between beta-HCH, p,p'-DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene), and HCB levels and presence of alterations was determined by logistic regression stratified by gender and controlling for confounders. Highest frequencies were observed for eosinophilia (23% men and 18% women), low hemoglobin (12% men and 15% women), and low erythrocyte count (12% men). High levels of bilirubin, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were observed, respectively, in 10, 11, and 12% of men and <10% of women. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was elevated in 26 and 25% of males and females, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed associations between eosinophilia and beta-HCH in men (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.01-1.12) and women (OR = 1.05, 96%CI = 0.99-1.11), p,p'-DDE in men (OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.99-1.06) and women (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 0.99-1.06), and HCB in women (OR = 1.54, 95%IC = 0.85-4.45). Beta-HCH was found to be associated with increased risk of elevated bilirubin in females (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.07-1.29) and males (OR = 4.21, 95%CI = 1.87-9.47 for fourth vs. first quintile). Thus, OC pesticides may exert adverse effects on hematopoietic tissue and liver in populations chronically exposed to high levels of these compounds.
authors: a National School of Public Health , Oswaldo Cruz Foundation , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Freire
authors: Rosalina Jorge
authors: RJ
authors: Koifman
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Koifman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D007221:Industry; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D012306:Risk; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; C023888:beta-hexachlorocyclohexane