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Imran I, Moin SF, Saleem S, Azhar A, Zehra S. Bioaccumulation of Chloropyrifos Organo-pesticide and Its Toxicogenic Association with Antioxidant GSTP1 in Pakistani Pest Control Workers. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024; 196:3331-3343. [PMID: 37646887 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04649-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic pesticides are employed to enhance agricultural production. Chronic exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides may be a source of health problems. The present study was designed to examine an association of GSTP1 (rs1695) polymorphism with OP pesticide chronic exposure. A case-control study was recruited with 250 subjects comprising exposed (n = 100) and controls (n = 150). A survey was conducted to determine the pesticide type to which workers had exposed. According to recorded survey assessment, two compounds of OP pesticides chloropyrifos and malathion were investigated in the blood samples of exposed study subjects using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For screening of genetic polymorphism in GSTP1 (rs1695) polymerase chain reaction, restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and agarose gel electrophoresis were performed. Statistically, data were analyzed using SPSS v. 20.0 and MedCal© software. Total chrom© navigator programmer was used for detection of OP residues in serum and local pesticide solution. chloropyrifos-OP pesticide residues were detected in serum of estimated chronically exposed subjects at 206 nm HPLC optimal conditions. The pattern of GSTP1 (rs1695) genotypic frequencies depicted that heterozygous genotype was higher in Chloropyrifos exposed subjects (0.56) when compared with controls (0.44). Statistical outcomes showed an insignificant association with GSTP1 (rs1695) polymorphism and chloropyrifos-OP pesticide toxicity (Fisher's exact test 1.0, p = 0.25). An insignificant allelic investigation reflected a protective effect of mutant allele G against chloropyrifos-OP pesticide toxicity in exposed subjects. Findings may be helpful in identifying bioaccumulated pesticide residues, but in studied Pakistani exposed workers, no significant association of GSTP1 (rs1695) variant with chloropyrifos-OPs was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iffat Imran
- The Karachi Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
- Ziauddin University Faculty of Engineering, Science, Technology and Management (ZUFESTM), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Block B, North Nazimabad, Karachi, F-10374600, Pakistan.
| | - Syed Faraz Moin
- Dr. Zafar H. Zaidi Center for Proteomics, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Saima Saleem
- The Karachi Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Abid Azhar
- The Karachi Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Sitwat Zehra
- The Karachi Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
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Dahiya P, Kumari S, Behl M, Kashyap A, Kumari D, Thakur K, Devi M, Kumari N, Kaushik N, Walia A, Bhatt AK, Bhatia RK. Guardians of the Gut: Harnessing the Power of Probiotic Microbiota and Their Exopolysaccharides to Mitigate Heavy Metal Toxicity in Human for Better Health. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-024-10281-9. [PMID: 38733461 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10281-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution is a significant global health concern, posing risks to both the environment and human health. Exposure to heavy metals happens through various channels like contaminated water, food, air, and workplaces, resulting in severe health implications. Heavy metals also disrupt the gut's microbial balance, leading to dysbiosis characterized by a decrease in beneficial microorganisms and proliferation in harmful ones, ultimately exacerbating health problems. Probiotic microorganisms have demonstrated their ability to adsorb and sequester heavy metals, while their exopolysaccharides (EPS) exhibit chelating properties, aiding in mitigating heavy metal toxicity. These beneficial microorganisms aid in restoring gut integrity through processes like biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation of heavy metals. Incorporating probiotic strains with high affinity for heavy metals into functional foods and supplements presents a practical approach to mitigating heavy metal toxicity while enhancing gut health. Utilizing probiotic microbiota and their exopolysaccharides to address heavy metal toxicity offers a novel method for improving human health through modulation of the gut microbiome. By combining probiotics and exopolysaccharides, a distinctive strategy emerges for mitigating heavy metal toxicity, highlighting promising avenues for therapeutic interventions and health improvements. Further exploration in this domain could lead to groundbreaking therapies and preventive measures, underscoring probiotic microbiota and exopolysaccharides as natural and environmentally friendly solutions to heavy metal toxicity. This, in turn, could enhance public health by safeguarding the gut from environmental contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushpak Dahiya
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sangeeta Kumari
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Manya Behl
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Aakash Kashyap
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Deeksha Kumari
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Kalpana Thakur
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Mamta Devi
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Neelam Kumari
- Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Neelam Kaushik
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Abhishek Walia
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences, CSK HPKV, Palampur, HP, 176062, India
| | - Arvind Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Ravi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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Kovarik Z, Moshitzky G, Maček Hrvat N, Soreq H. Recent advances in cholinergic mechanisms as reactions to toxicity, stress, and neuroimmune insults. J Neurochem 2024; 168:355-369. [PMID: 37429600 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
This review presents recent studies of the chemical and molecular regulators of acetylcholine (ACh) signaling and the complexity of the small molecule and RNA regulators of those mechanisms that control cholinergic functioning in health and disease. The underlying structural, neurochemical, and transcriptomic concepts, including basic and translational research and clinical studies, shed new light on how these processes inter-change under acute states, age, sex, and COVID-19 infection; all of which modulate ACh-mediated processes and inflammation in women and men and under diverse stresses. The aspect of organophosphorus (OP) compound toxicity is discussed based on the view that despite numerous studies, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is still a vulnerable target in OP poisoning because of a lack of efficient treatment and the limitations of oxime-assisted reactivation of inhibited AChE. The over-arching purpose of this review is thus to discuss mechanisms of cholinergic signaling dysfunction caused by OP pesticides, OP nerve agents, and anti-cholinergic medications; and to highlight new therapeutic strategies to combat both the acute and chronic effects of these chemicals on the cholinergic and neuroimmune systems. Furthermore, OP toxicity was examined in view of cholinesterase inhibition and beyond in order to highlight improved small molecules and RNA therapeutic strategies and assess their predicted pitfalls to reverse the acute toxicity and long-term deleterious effects of OPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zrinka Kovarik
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gilli Moshitzky
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Hermona Soreq
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Giambò F, Costa C, Teodoro M, Fenga C. Role-Playing Between Environmental Pollutants and Human Gut Microbiota: A Complex Bidirectional Interaction. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:810397. [PMID: 35252248 PMCID: PMC8888443 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.810397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the characterization of the involvement of toxicant and pollutant exposures in the development and the progression of several diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, as well as in the disruption of the immune and reproductive homeostasis. The gut microbiota is considered a pivotal player against the toxic properties of chemicals with the establishment of a dynamic bidirectional relationship, underlining the toxicological significance of this mutual interplay. In fact, several environmental chemicals have been demonstrated to affect the composition, the biodiversity of the intestinal microbiota together with the underlining modulated metabolic pathways, which may play an important role in tailoring the microbiotype of an individual. In this review, we aimed to discuss the latest updates concerning the environmental chemicals–microbiota dual interaction, toward the identification of a distinctiveness of the gut microbial community, which, in turn, may allow to adopt personalized preventive strategies to improve risk assessment for more susceptible workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giambò
- Occupational Medicine Section, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Costa
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Michele Teodoro
- Occupational Medicine Section, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Concettina Fenga
- Occupational Medicine Section, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Briguglio G, Costa C, Teodoro M, Giambò F, Italia S, Fenga C. Women's health and night shift work: Potential targets for future strategies in breast cancer (Review). Biomed Rep 2021; 15:98. [PMID: 34667595 PMCID: PMC8517754 DOI: 10.3892/br.2021.1474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated amongst women worldwide. Several studies have shown that individual, environmental and occupational factors can serve an important role in the onset of breast cancer; although the majority of studies have demonstrated this association, and several studies have investigated the biological pathways, it is impossible to describe with certainty the causal relationship that involve circadian rhythm disruption and melatonin dysregulation with the oncogenic processes. Over the years, due to the introduction of more effective screening tools, an increase in the incidence of breast cancer as well as a decrease in the age at diagnosis has been witnessed. Subsequently, an increasing number of individuals have obtained care at a younger age, which has meant that after surgery and chemotherapy, these workers have had to return to work. In light of these paradigmatic changes, the aim of the present review was to identify potential targets for future organisational strategies that should be adopted in the workplace by occupational physicians, both for prevention and for the return-to-work process of working women who have suffered from breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusi Briguglio
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Costa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Michele Teodoro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Giambò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Italia
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Concettina Fenga
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy
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Giambò F, Leone GM, Gattuso G, Rizzo R, Cosentino A, Cinà D, Teodoro M, Costa C, Tsatsakis A, Fenga C, Falzone L. Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations Induced by Pesticide Exposure: Integrated Analysis of Gene Expression, microRNA Expression, and DNA Methylation Datasets. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168697. [PMID: 34444445 PMCID: PMC8394939 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental or occupational exposure to pesticides is considered one of the main risk factors for the development of various diseases. Behind the development of pesticide-associated pathologies, there are both genetic and epigenetic alterations, where these latter are mainly represented by the alteration in the expression levels of microRNAs and by the change in the methylation status of the DNA. At present, no studies have comprehensively evaluated the genetic and epigenetic alterations induced by pesticides; therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify modifications in gene miRNA expression and DNA methylation useful for the prediction of pesticide exposure. For this purpose, an integrated analysis of gene expression, microRNA expression, and DNA methylation datasets obtained from the GEO DataSets database was performed to identify putative genes, microRNAs, and DNA methylation hotspots associated with pesticide exposure and responsible for the development of different diseases. In addition, DIANA-miRPath, STRING, and GO Panther prediction tools were used to establish the functional role of the putative biomarkers identified. The results obtained demonstrated that pesticides can modulate the expression levels of different genes and induce different epigenetic alterations in the expression levels of miRNAs and in the modulation of DNA methylation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giambò
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Gian Marco Leone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessia Cosentino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Diana Cinà
- Health Management of the “Cannizzaro” Emergency Hospital of Catania, 95126 Catania, Italy;
- Clinical Pathology and Clinical Molecular Biology Unit, “Garibaldi Centro” Hospital, ARNAS Garibaldi, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Teodoro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (M.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Chiara Costa
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Aristides Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Concettina Fenga
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (M.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, National Cancer Institute-IRCCS ‘Fondazione G. Pascale’, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-478-1278
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Wang Y, Hu C, Fang T, Jin Y, Wu R. Perspective on prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and the development of the progeny nervous system (Review). Int J Mol Med 2021; 48:150. [PMID: 34132363 PMCID: PMC8219518 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The developmental origins of health and disease concept illustrates that exposure in early life to various factors may affect the offspring's long-term susceptibility to disease. During development, the nervous system is sensitive and vulnerable to the environmental insults. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are divided into dioxin-like (DL-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs), are synthetic persistent environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The toxicological mechanisms of DL-PCBs have been associated with the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and NDL-PCBs have been associated with ryanodine receptor-mediated calcium ion channels, which affect neuronal migration, promote dendritic growth and alter neuronal connectivity. In addition, PCB accumulation in the placenta destroys the fetal placental unit and affects endocrine function, particularly thyroid hormones and the dopaminergic system, leading to neuroendocrine disorders. However, epidemiological investigations have not achieved a consistent result in different study cohorts. The present review summarizes the epidemiological differences and possible mechanisms of the effects of intrauterine PCB exposure on neurological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinfeng Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Changchang Hu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Tao Fang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Yang Jin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Ruijin Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
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de Souza Espindola Santos A, Parks CG, Senna MM, de Carvalho LVB, Meyer A. Exposure to pesticides and oxidative stress in Brazilian agricultural communities. Biomarkers 2021; 26:539-547. [PMID: 34082618 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2021.1933593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidative stress may be an important mechanism linking pesticide exposure to several diseases. We evaluated the association between pesticide exposures and oxidative stress biomarkers in Brazilian agricultural workers. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthy agricultural (N = 52) and non-agricultural workers (N = 68) in a rural community in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Regular pesticide use, sociodemographic, and lifestyle information was obtained by questionnaire. Oxidative stress biomarkers (N = 7) were measured in serum and plasma. We calculated percent differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in oxidative stress biomarkers for use of pesticides adjusted for sex, age, education, smoking, and alcohol consumption, using multiple linear regression. RESULTS Living close to or in the fields was associated with glutathione peroxidase activity but not with any other markers. We observed significant positive associations between 8-isoprostane levels and activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase with reported use of certain insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Our results also indicate a significant and negative association between glutathione-S-transferase activity and insecticide use. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that use of pesticides may be associated with differences in oxidative stress biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline de Souza Espindola Santos
- Occupational and Environmental Health Branch, Public Health Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Christine Gibson Parks
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, US
| | - Mariana Macedo Senna
- Studies Center of Workers Health and Human Ecology, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro Vargas B de Carvalho
- Studies Center of Workers Health and Human Ecology, Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Armando Meyer
- Occupational and Environmental Health Branch, Public Health Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Giambò F, Teodoro M, Costa C, Fenga C. Toxicology and Microbiota: How Do Pesticides Influence Gut Microbiota? A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115510. [PMID: 34063879 PMCID: PMC8196593 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, new targets have been included between the health outcomes induced by pesticide exposure. The gastrointestinal tract is a key physical and biological barrier and it represents a primary site of exposure to toxic agents. Recently, the intestinal microbiota has emerged as a notable factor regulating pesticides’ toxicity. However, the specific mechanisms related to this interaction are not well known. In this review, we discuss the influence of pesticide exposure on the gut microbiota, discussing the factors influencing gut microbial diversity, and we summarize the updated literature. In conclusion, more studies are needed to clarify the host–microbial relationship concerning pesticide exposure and to define new prevention interventions, such as the identification of biomarkers of mucosal barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giambò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (F.G.); (M.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Michele Teodoro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (F.G.); (M.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Chiara Costa
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-2212052
| | - Concettina Fenga
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (F.G.); (M.T.); (C.F.)
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Manfo FPT, Suh CF, Nantia EA, Moundipa PF, Cho-Ngwa F. Occupational use of agrochemicals results in inhibited cholinesterase activity and altered reproductive hormone levels in male farmers from Buea, Cameroon. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2021; 10:232-248. [PMID: 33884174 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfaa113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of agro pesticides and fertilizers in eliminating pests and scaling up crop yield has motivated farmers to increase their use. Unfortunately, health hazards caused on farmers by these agrochemicals are of growing concern, though not well elucidated. In order to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to agrochemicals on some key parameters of male farmers' health in Buea Subdivision, Cameroon, a total of 101 men, including 62 farmers using the agrochemicals and a reference population of 39 men not involved in occupational utilization of the agrochemicals, were interviewed on use of protective equipment, exposure symptoms and reproductive health status. Thereafter, serum cholinesterase [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE)] activities, total antioxidant capacity and reproductive hormones [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone and testosterone] were assessed. Results revealed that farmers mainly used insecticides followed by fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers, but with inadequate protective measures. The use of agrochemicals resulted in several exposure symptoms including weakness, itches, burning sensation, headache, sneezing, coughing and vomiting, as well as decrease in serum AChE activity when compared to the reference population. The agrochemicals impacted negatively on the farmers' reproductive health as evidenced by increased FSH levels. Taken altogether, these results suggested that exposure to agrochemicals adversely affects farmers' health. Therefore, there is a need to further sensitize the farmers on the use of protective equipment to mitigate the exposure and resulting health hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faustin Pascal Tsagué Manfo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Christian Fusi Suh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Edouard Akono Nantia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Paul Fewou Moundipa
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Fidelis Cho-Ngwa
- Laboratory for Drugs and Molecular Diagnostics Research (ANDI Centre of Excellence for Onchocerciasis Drug Research), Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
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