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| IJCEM Copyright © 2008-All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711 |
Int J Clin Exp Med 1(3),274-282;2008
Original Article
Adverse effects of Pesticides Residues on Biochemical Markers in Pakistani
Tobacco Farmers
Dilshad A Khan, Mahwish M Bhatti, Farooq A Khan, Syed T Naqvi, Karam A
Department of Pathology, Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Rawalpindi-Pakistan
Received June 12, 2008; accepted July 10, 2008; available online July 15, 2008
Abstract: Tobacco is an important cash crop of Pakistan and tremendous amount of irrational pesticides are being used to control
insect growth. The frequency of plasma pesticide residues above acceptable daily intake (ADI) and its correlation with biochemical
markers for assessment of adverse health effects in the tobacco farmers at district Sawabi, Pakistan was determined. Total 109 adult
males consisting of 55 tobacco farmers exposed to pesticides and 54 controls were included. Pesticides residues in blood were
analyzed on HPLC and GC-NPD. Plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was analyzed by Ellman’s method. Biochemical markers
including serum calcium, phosphorus, urea, creatinine, bilirubin and liver enzymes were measured on Selectra-E auto analyzer. The
tobacco farmers had multiple pesticides residues above ADI in their blood consisting of 35 (63%) methomyl; 31 (56%) thiodicarb; 34
(62%) cypermethrin; 27 (49%) Imidacloprid; 18 (32%) Methamidophos and 15 (27%) endosulfan. BChE activity was significantly
decreased in the pesticides exposed farmers as compared to controls (P<0.001). Plasma biochemical markers including ALT, AST,
CK, LDH and phosphate were significantly raised in the pesticides exposed farmers as compared to control group (P<0.001). Total
pesticides residues revealed a significant positive correlation with AST (r=0.42), LDH(r= 0.47), ALT (r=0.20) and phosphorus (r= 0.51).
Excessive exposure to pesticide caused cytotoxic changes in the hepatic and renal biochemical markers which were positively
correlated with pesticide residue. Hence these biomarkers might be used in addition to BChE activity for monitoring of adverse effects
of pesticides on the health of farm workers. (IJCEM806001).
Key Words: Pesticides residue, adverse effects, butyrylcholinesterase, aminotransferase, biochemical markers, tobacco farmers
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to: Dilshad Ahmad Khan, PhD, Dept of Pathology, Army Medical College, Abid Majeed Road, Rawalpindi,
Pakistan, Tel:+92-03005147938, E-mail: dilshad56@yahoo.com
Original Article
Adverse effects of Pesticides Residues on Biochemical Markers in Pakistani
Tobacco Farmers
Dilshad A Khan, Mahwish M Bhatti, Farooq A Khan, Syed T Naqvi, Karam A
Department of Pathology, Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Rawalpindi-Pakistan
Received June 12, 2008; accepted July 10, 2008; available online July 15, 2008
Abstract: Tobacco is an important cash crop of Pakistan and tremendous amount of irrational pesticides are being used to control
insect growth. The frequency of plasma pesticide residues above acceptable daily intake (ADI) and its correlation with biochemical
markers for assessment of adverse health effects in the tobacco farmers at district Sawabi, Pakistan was determined. Total 109 adult
males consisting of 55 tobacco farmers exposed to pesticides and 54 controls were included. Pesticides residues in blood were
analyzed on HPLC and GC-NPD. Plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was analyzed by Ellman’s method. Biochemical markers
including serum calcium, phosphorus, urea, creatinine, bilirubin and liver enzymes were measured on Selectra-E auto analyzer. The
tobacco farmers had multiple pesticides residues above ADI in their blood consisting of 35 (63%) methomyl; 31 (56%) thiodicarb; 34
(62%) cypermethrin; 27 (49%) Imidacloprid; 18 (32%) Methamidophos and 15 (27%) endosulfan. BChE activity was significantly
decreased in the pesticides exposed farmers as compared to controls (P<0.001). Plasma biochemical markers including ALT, AST,
CK, LDH and phosphate were significantly raised in the pesticides exposed farmers as compared to control group (P<0.001). Total
pesticides residues revealed a significant positive correlation with AST (r=0.42), LDH(r= 0.47), ALT (r=0.20) and phosphorus (r= 0.51).
Excessive exposure to pesticide caused cytotoxic changes in the hepatic and renal biochemical markers which were positively
correlated with pesticide residue. Hence these biomarkers might be used in addition to BChE activity for monitoring of adverse effects
of pesticides on the health of farm workers. (IJCEM806001).
Key Words: Pesticides residue, adverse effects, butyrylcholinesterase, aminotransferase, biochemical markers, tobacco farmers
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to: Dilshad Ahmad Khan, PhD, Dept of Pathology, Army Medical College, Abid Majeed Road, Rawalpindi,
Pakistan, Tel:+92-03005147938, E-mail: dilshad56@yahoo.com
