This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Gomes, J Articles by Anilal, S V Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gomes, J Articles by Anilal, S V Pubmed/NCBI databases Substance via MeSH Medline Plus Health Information Liver Diseases Pesticides Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Hepatic injury and disturbed amino acid metabolism in mice following prolonged exposure to organophosphorus pesticides

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

A H Dawodu

Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

O Lloyd

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

D M Revitt

School of Biological, Environmental & Health Sciences, Middlesex University, London, UK

S V Anilal

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, PO Box 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

1 Chronic occupational exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate-type pesticides significantly inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity and causes morbidity. This study on mice was designed to evaluate their amino profile and to identify signs of hepatic dysfunction following their chronic exposure to mixtures of organophosphorus pesticides.

2 Laboratory mice were exposed to a formulated mixture of the six organophosphorus pesticides (Dimethoate, Chlorpyrifos, Profenofos, Pirimiphos methyl, Triazophos and Dimethoate) most commonly used in agriculture in this region of the Middle East. Doses (10% of LD₅₀ of the mixture) were given once a week by gavage in corn oil for 7 weeks; the control group was given only corn oil. At the end of the exposure period, mice were culled and blood samples were collected to determine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity, biochemical markers of liver function and concentrations of serum amino acids.

3 Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity and total serum proteins decreased significantly in the exposed group. Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine, glutamic acid, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, ornithine, proline, serine, threonine and valine were significantly increased in the exposed mice, while serum levels of cystine were decreased significantly. There were also non-significant increases in serum alkaline phosphatase, gama-glutamyl transpeptidase and some of the other amino acids.

4 Chronic exposure to mixtures of organophosphorus pesticides is associated with decreased acetylcholinesterase activity, hepatic dysfunction and disturbance of amino acids profile. Biochemical indices of hepatocellular injury and disturbed amino acid metabolism may be of value as markers of chronic exposure to such pesticides.

Key Words: amino acids • erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity • hepatic dysfunction • organophosphorus pesticides

Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 18, No. 1, 33-37 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/096032719901800105


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J Gomes, O. Lloyd, and Z Hong Oral exposure of male and female mice to formulations of organophosphorous pesticides: congenital malformations Human and Experimental Toxicology, March 1, 2008; 27(3): 231 - 240. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Guney, H. Demirin, B. Oral, M. Ozguner, G. Bayhan, and I. Altuntas Ovarian toxicity in rats caused by methidathion and ameliorating effect of vitamins E and C Human and Experimental Toxicology, June 1, 2007; 26(6): 491 - 498. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F Gultekin, S Patat, H Akca, M Akdogan, and I Altuntas Melatonin can suppress the cytotoxic effects of chlorpyrifos on human HepG2 cell lines Human and Experimental Toxicology, February 1, 2006; 25(2): 47 - 55. [Abstract] [PDF]