The assessment of nephrotoxic effect of organophosphorous pesticides based on the determination of the activity of some selected enzymes in urine.

Pesticides and their metabolites are excreted mainly by the kidneys. The effect of these compounds on the kidney parenchyma was evaluated on the basis of determinations of the activity of the following enzymes: alkaline phosphate, N-acetylglucosaminidase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and arginase in urine of workers employed at the department producing organophosphorous pesticides (32 males and 53 females) as well as those employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos (35 males). The activity of most of the estimated enzymes was significantly higher as compared to control groups. The dynamic of changes of enzyme activity was traced in the workers employed at the department producing chlorfenvinphos over their first 18 months of employment.

[Activity of selected enzymes in urine of workers from the repair brigades in chemical plants "Organika-Azot" in Jaworz]. / Aktywnosc wybranych enzymów w moczu pracowników brygad remontowych zakladów chemicznych "Organika-Azot" w Jaworznie.

In 45 repair service workers of a chemical plant producing pesticides the serum concentration of creatinine and uric acid as well as the concentration of proteins and the activity of alkaline phosphatase, a alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, lactic dehydrogenase, and N-acetyl-beta- glucosaminidase in urine were determined. As compared to 31 healthy controls, the serum creatinine concentration was significantly higher (in any case the creatinine and uric acid concentration did not exceed the upper normal limit), the urine lactic dehydrogenase and N-acetyl-beta- glucosaminidase activity, factored by creatinine, was significantly elevated. The results of the examinations point to a discrete lesion of the kidneys.

[Biochemical indices of liver function in workers from repair brigades in chemical plants "Organika-Azot" in Jaworz]. / Biochemiczne wskazniki funkcji watroby u pracowników brygad remontowych Zakladów Chemicznych "Organika-Azot" w Jaworznie.

In order to assess the functional state of the liver in 45 repair service workers of a chemical plant producing pesticides the serum concentration and electrophoretic pattern of proteins, the concentration of bilirubin and the activity of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl- transpeptidase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, and lactic and malic dehydrogenase were determined. As compared to 35 healthy controls, not exposed to noxious chemicals, a significantly lower serum protein concentration with higher percentage of gamma-globulins and lower albumins and alpha 2-globulins were observed, the serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities were significantly elevated. Ultrasound examination of the hepatic structure revealed liver steatosis in 11 (24.4%) workers. The results of our study point to a discrete lesion of the liver.