Assessment of oxidative status and genotoxicity in photocopier operators: a pilot study.

Occupational exposure to photocopiers has been indicated as being responsible for a number of health complaints, particularly effects on the respiratory, immunological, and nervous systems. In this study, we investigated oxidative and genotoxic damage in photocopier operators by assessing catalase activity (CAT), reduced vs. oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG), level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), damage index by Comet assay (DICA), and buccal cells with micronuclei (BCMN). Our results reveal that the TBARS levels in operators were increased (27%; p<0.05) but that no significant alterations to GSH/GSSG or CAT activity were observed. The DICA and the number of BCMN were significantly increased (134% and 100%, respectively; p<0.05) in the exposed group. There was a significant association between the time in months spent at work and DNA damage in lymphocytes (r(s) = 0.720; p<0.001) and buccal cell with MN (r(s) = 0.538; p<0.001). Because laser printers and photocopiers have become increasingly used, it is important to control human exposure using reliable biomarkers.

Genetic, enzymatic and developmental alterations observed in Caiman latirostris exposed in ovo to pesticide formulations and mixtures in an experiment simulating environmental exposure.

In South America, economic interests in last years have produced a constant increase in transgenic soybean cropping, with the corresponding rise in pesticide formulated products. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pesticides formulations and mixtures on a South American caiman, Caiman latirostris, after in ovo exposure. We conducted a field-like experiment which simulates the environmental exposure that a caiman nest can receive in neighbouring croplands habitats. Experimental groups were Control group, Treatment 1: sprayed with a glyphosate herbicide formulation, and Treatment 2: sprayed with a pesticide mixture of glyphosate, endosulfan and cypermethrin formulations. Results demonstrated genotoxicity, enzymatic and metabolic alterations, as well as growth delay in caimans exposed in ovo to Treatments 1 and 2, showing a higher toxicity for the mixture. Integral evaluation through biomarkers of different biological meaning is highly informative as early indicators of contamination with pesticides and mixtures in this wildlife species.

Biomarkers of cellular reaction to pesticide exposure in a rural population.

In the present study we report data obtained from the evaluation of subjects occupationally exposed to pesticide mixtures from Santa Fe province, Argentina, using biomarkers for butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (by TBARS assay) and the Damage Index Comet Assay (DICA). Our results showed an AChE inhibition (25% and 15% in directly and indirectly groups, respectively) in relation to controls with no significant modifications in BChE. TBARS levels were higher (51%) in pesticide sprayers while CAT activity was reduced in both, applicators (61%) and non-applicators (43%). DICA was significantly increased in direct (83%) and indirect (98%) exposed groups, compared with controls. These results showed modifications in lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defence system, and DNA damage in lymphocytes of exposed workers. Further investigations are suggested in order to link our findings with adverse health effects observed in chronic pesticide toxicity, where oxidative damage plays a pathophysiological role.

[Biochemical evaluation on rural workers exposed to pesticides]. / Evaluación bioquímica de trabajadores rurales expuestos a pesticidas.

Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops but may represent a potential risk to farmers and the environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate horticultural workers exposed to pesticide, categorized by: direct exposure (n = 45), indirect exposure (n = 50) and controls (n = 50) using exposure and effect biomarkers: cholinesterase (ChE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), Damage Index Comet Assay (IDEC) and Damage Index Repair Assay (IDER). Our results show: a) an AChE inhibition in directly and indirectly exposed population (p < 0.001), b) significant increase in the levels of TBARS in direct exposure (p < 0.001), c) the CAT reduction was significant (p < 0.01), d) a significant increase in IDEC and IDER in both exposed groups (p < 0.001). Our results evidence variations in oxidative balance and DNA damage in exposed workers. These findings represent a contribution to the sub-clinical evaluation of subjects exposed to agrochemicals in our country.

Evaluación bioquímica de trabajadores rurales expuestos a pesticidas / Biochemical evaluation on rural workers exposed to pesticides

Los pesticidas utilizados en agricultura pueden representar un riesgo potencial para la salud de los agricultores expuestos y para el medio ambiente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar trabajadores frutihortícolas expuestos a plaguicidas, categorizados por: exposición directa (n = 45), exposición indirecta (n = 50) y controles (n = 50) mediante biomarcadores de exposición y efecto: colinesterasa (ChE), acetilcolinesterasa (AChE), catalasa (CAT), peroxidación de lípidos (TBARS), Indice de Daño Ensayo Cometa (IDEC) e Indice de Daño Ensayo Reparación (IDER). Los resultados indican: a) inhibición significativa de AChE (p < 0.001) en expuestos directos e indirectos; b) aumento en los niveles de TBARS (p < 0.001) en los directos; c) reducción de CAT significativa (p < 0.01) y d) aumento de IDEC e IDER (p < 0.001) en ambos grupos. Los resultados obtenidos reflejan modificaciones en el balance oxidativo junto con daño al ADN en los trabajadores estudiados. Estos hallazgos representan una contribución en la evaluación subclínica de exposición a agroquímicos en nuestro país.

Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops but may represent a potential risk to farmers and the environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate horticultural workers exposed to pesticide, categorized by: direct exposure (n = 45), indirect exposure (n = 50) and controls (n = 50) using exposure and effect biomarkers: cholinesterase (ChE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), Damage Index Comet Assay (IDEC) and Damage Index Repair Assay (IDER). Our results show: a) an AChE inhibition in directly and indirectly exposed population (p < 0.001), b) significant increase in the levels of TBARS in direct exposure (p < 0.001), c) the CAT reduction was significant (p < 0.01), d) a significant increase in IDEC and IDER in both exposed groups (p < 0.001). Our results evidence variations in oxidative balance and DNA damage in exposed workers. These findings represent a contribution to the sub-clinical evaluation of subjects exposed to agrochemicals in our country.

Porfiria cutánea tarda: análisis de datos y criterios prospectivos para su manejo clínico / Porphyria cutanea tarda: data analysis and prospective criteria for the clinical manegement

Objetivo: realizar un análisis retrospectivo de los datos obtenidos en pacientes con porfiria cutánea tarda (PCT); establecer pautas de manejo diagnóstico y de seguimiento; evaluar enfermedades asociadas y/o vinculadas a PCT. Material y métodos: pacientes provenientes de la Sección Dermatología del Hospital J. B. Iturraspe de la ciudad de Santa Fe (1985-1997) y del Servicio de Gastroenterología del Sanatorio Allende de la ciudad de Córdoba (1997). Resultados: del total de 14 pacientes, 11 se diagnosticaron en Santa Fe y 3 en Córdoba; rango etario: 36-63; edad promedio 53,2; 11 hombres y 3 mujeres. Signos dermatológicos más frecuentes: lesiones ampollares, hiperpigmentación y fotosensibilidad. Signos oculares encontrados: fotofobias e inyección conjuntival. Factores precipitantes: tóxicos: etilismo (10), alcohol metílico (1), agroquímicos (1). Farmacológicos: estrógenos (1); psicofármacos (1). Enfermedades asociadas: lepra (2), carcinoma testicular y enfermedad de von Recklinghausen, psoriasis, diabetes, anemia hemolítica autoinmune. Determinación de marcadores virales: total de pacientes: 5; resultados: VIH (-) 3/3; VHB (-) 5/5; VHC (+) 4/5. Conclusión: se enfatiza la importancia de la asociación de PCT y hepatopatía crónica, en especial por virus C