Do GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms influence intoxication events in individuals occupationally exposed to pesticides?

This study evaluated the variability of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms in individuals occupationally exposed to pesticides in ten Goias municipalities that present intense agricultural activity. We evaluated blood samples of 235 individuals, which 120 were rural workers occupationally exposed to pesticides and 115 formed the control group, analyzing GST polymorphisms by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).The exposed group consisted of 111 men and nine women only getting an average of 39 ± 9 years. These workers were from ten rural municipalities situated at Goias state. It was found that 18 % of the exposed individuals had the GSTT1 null genotype and 49 % had the GSTM1 null genotype, and 10 % had both null genotypes. Data as intoxication (42 %), use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE; 52 %) and if the worker prepared the pesticide (7 %), or if just applied the pesticide (22 %) or if the worker prepared and applied (71 %) have all been correlated with genetic polymorphisms. There were no statistically significant differences between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms between control and exposed groups. Finally, we could not associate a null GSTT1 or null GSTM1 polymorphisms or both to intoxication events caused by pesticides, but instead we presented the importance to use PPE to prevent such harm, once we found a statistically significant association between the use of PPE and events of intoxication (p ≤ 0.001).

Importância do estudo genético pré-natal / Importance of prenatal genetic diagnosis

O desenvolvimento de técnicas, como o cariótipo e ensaios enzimáticos em células fetais, a determinação de metabólitos no líquido amniótico e a ultrassonografia, propiciaram o diagnóstico pré-natal de desordens genéticas. A investigação genética pré-natal permite a detecção, ainda no útero, de doenças que, de outra forma, somente seriam diagnosticadas após o nascimento. Diversas técnicas são utilizadas para avaliação do estado fetal, algumas como a biópsia de vilos coriais, a amniocentese e a cordocentese. Com desenvolvimento tecnológico, novas técnicas moleculares foram desenvolvidas apresentando-se de forma mais refinada e de rápido resultado. A utilização dessas técnicas é fundamental para o desenvolvimento fetal, podendo então indicar uma conduta adequada para cada caso. Dessa forma, o conhecimento e a aplicação da genética clínica, utilizando o aconselhamento genético, trazem a certeza de um bom acompanhamento pré-natal necessário à assistência médica.

The development of techniques, such as karyotype and enzymatic assay in fetal cells, the determination of metabolites in amniotic liquid and the ultrasonography, allowed prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. The prenatal genetic investigation allowed the detection, in the womb, of diseases that, in other way, just could be diagnosed after birth. Many techniques are used to fetal state assessment, some of them such as villi cori biopsy, the amniocentesis and cordocentesis. Through the technological development, new molecular techniques were developed. They present a more refined and fast results. The use of these techniques is fundamental to fetal development, enabling the use of adequate conduct in each case. In this way, the knowledge and application of genetic clinic, using genetic counseling, bring the certainty of a good prenatal care, which is necessary to medic assistance.