Adverse Health Effects in Women Farmers Indirectly Exposed to Pesticides

Jose Martin-Reina, Alfredo G. Casanova, Bouchra Dahiri, Isaías Fernández, Ana Fernández-Palacín, Juan Bautista, Ana I. Morales and Isabel Moreno
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Jose Martin-Reina: Department of Nutrition, Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
Alfredo G. Casanova: Toxicology Unit, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Bouchra Dahiri: Department of Nutrition, Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
Isaías Fernández: Estepa Clinical Management Unit, Andalusian Health Service, C/Médico Antonio Vilches s/n, 41560 Sevilla, Spain
Ana Fernández-Palacín: Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Facultad de Medicina, Avda. Dr. Fedriani, s/n, 41009 Sevilla, Spain
Juan Bautista: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
Ana I. Morales: Toxicology Unit, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Isabel Moreno: Department of Nutrition, Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: Farmers are among the most vulnerable populations because of the exposure to low levels of pesticides. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities are considered as biomarkers of pesticides poisoning. However, biomarkers of oxidative stress are also playing an important role in toxicity of these contaminants. Further, increased activities of gamma-glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea and creatinine have been linked with hepatic and nephrotoxic cell damage, respectively. The aim of this study was to ascertain if the indirect exposure to pesticides leads to some biochemical parameter changes. Thus, cholinesterase activities, oxidative stress status (lipid and protein oxidation), hepatic function (AST and ALT levels), hormonal function (TSH, T4, FSH, LH and AMH), renal function (serum creatinine and urea), as well as possible subclinical kidney damage (urinary proteins and biomarkers of early kidney damage) were evaluated in farmer women who collect fruits and vegetables comparing with a group of women non-occupational exposed to pesticides but living in the same rural environment. Samples were taken periodically along one year to relate the observed effects to a chronic exposure. Our main results showed for the first time a subclinical kidney damage in a rural setting with indirect chronic exposure to pesticides.

Keywords: cholinesterase; oxidative stress; early kidney damage; pesticides; women farmers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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