Occupational pesticides exposure of sprayers of grape gardens in western Maharashtra (India): effects on liver and kidney function

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2009;20(4):335-55. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp.2009.20.4.335.

Abstract

We compared hematologic parameters and liver and kidney function tests in occupationally exposed pesticide sprayers of grape gardens (n = 60) and normal healthy participants (n = 30), 20-45 years of age, in Western Maharashtra (India). Venous blood samples were collected from both groups. Compared with control participants, sprayers showed the following-significantly increased serum C reactive protein (117.6%), liver function marker enzymes-serum aspartate transaminase (57%), alanine transaminase (37.4%), alkaline phosphatase (16.9%), serum bilirubin (41.8%), creatinine (18.4%), blood glucose (11.4%), and urea (13.%); and decreased acetyl cholinesterase activity (30.9%) and serum cholesterol (12.12%). Serum total protein, globulin, and the A/G ratio were not significantly altered, however, but serum albumin decreased slightly (3.3%, P <.05). Compared with the control group, hematologic parameters significantly decreased in sprayers-hemoglobin (6.9%), hematocrit (3%), mean corpuscular volume (3.8%), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (4.5%), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (5.8%), and red blood cell count (7.7%), whereas the white blood cell count increased (18.2%). The decreased serum acetyl cholinesterase value indicates a high degree of pesticides absorption, which leads to impairment of liver and kidney functions and slightly altered hematologic parameters in the occupationally exposed pesticides sprayers of grape gardens studied here.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / physiology
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Pesticides / toxicity*
  • Vitis

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hemoglobins
  • Pesticides
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase