A Th2-type immune response and low-grade systemic inflammatory reaction as potential immunotoxic effects in intensive agriculture farmers exposed to pesticides.

Pesticides are chemicals widely used in agriculture to keep crops healthy and prevent them from being destroyed by pests, thus contributing to a sustainable food and feed production. However, long-term exposure to these compounds may be harmful to human health as they can affect the function of various organs systems, including the immune system. There is growing evidence that pesticides may increase the risk of developing immune-based diseases and inflammation. This study assessed whether greenhouse farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides presented alterations in immunoregulatory proteins, used as surrogate biomarkers of immune function. The study population consisted of 175 greenhouse workers occupationally exposed to pesticides and 91 non-exposed controls. Serum levels of 27 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were measured using a magnetic bead-based immunoassay in a subpopulation of 111 greenhouse workers and 79 non-exposed controls. Since analytical determinations were performed in two periods of the same crop season with different use of pesticides (period of high and low pesticide exposure), linear mixed models for repeated measures were used to optimize statistical inference. The increase in IL-13, IL-4 and IL-6 observed in greenhouse workers compared to controls, and in the period of high exposure to pesticides relative to that of low exposure, suggest an altered Th1/Th2 balance towards the Th2 response. This finding points to a type-2 inflammation commonly presented as allergic inflammation, which has often been reported in farm-workers and in which pesticide exposure is considered a risk factor. Furthermore, the increase in IL-1ß and VEGF, mediators of inflammation and angiogenesis, may suggest a low-grade systemic inflammation that might underlie chronic pathological conditions linked to pesticide exposure.

Análisis de la morfología del raquis torácico y lumbar en mujeres trabajadoras de una cooperativa hortofrutícola / men Analysis of the thoracic and lumbar morphology in woworkers from a fruit and vegetable company

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la disposición angular del raquis torácico y lumbar en bipedestación y sedentación relajada en mujeres trabajadoras de una empresa hortofrutícola. Un total de 50 mujeres (media de edad: 43,62+/-8,43 años) fueron evaluadas mediante un spinal mouse en bipedestación y en sedentación relajada. Los valores angulares medios para el raquis torácico y lumbar fueron de 32,74+/-8,76 y -21,66+/-19,12 en bipedestación y de 36,32+/-10,55 y -1,08+/-18,14, en sedentación. En bipedestación, un elevado porcentaje de casos (86 por ciento y 68,3 por ciento) presentaban una cifosis torácica y lordosis lumbar dentro de los valores de normalidad. En sedentación, el 74 por ciento presentaban hipercifosis torácica y el 20 por ciento una inversión lumbar. En conclusión, aunque en bipedestación la mayoría de las mujeres presentaban una morfología del raquis dentro de los valores de normalidad, en sedentación se observó un elevado porcentaje de casos con hipercifosis torácica y el raquis lumbar en inversión. Debido a las consecuencias negativas que se asocian a dichas desalineaciones raquídeas, es recomendable aplicar programas de mejora de la actitud postural en estas trabajadoras, preferentemente en su contexto laboral.

The aim of this study was to analyze the sagittal spinal morphology of thoracic and lumbar spine in standing and sitting in women workers from a cooperative in the production, handling and marketing business of vegetable and fruit products. A total of 50 women (mean age: 43.62+/-8.43 years old) were evaluated. The spinal mouse system was used to mesasure the sagittal thoracic and lumbar curvatures in standing and relaxed sitting. The values for thoracic and lumbar curvatures were 32.74+/-8.76 and -21.66+/-19.12 in standing and 36.32+/-10.55 and -1.08+/-18.14 in sitting. A high frequency (86.0 percent and 68.3 percent) of normal thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were found in standing posture. While sitting the 74.0 percent and 20.0 percent presented thoracic hyperkyphosis and lumbar kyphosis. In conclusion, a high percentaje of women workers presented normality values in standing posture, although a high percentage of women were found with thoracic hyperkyphosis and lumbar flexed while sitting relaxed. It is recommended that these women carry out a program to improve their actitudinal postures in their work place.