Biomonitoring and risk assessment of human exposure to triazole fungicides

Risk assessment and biomarkers were evaluated in volunteers exposed to triazole fungicides in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Volunteers were divided into two groups: occupationally and environmentally exposed to pesticides (n = 140) and those unexposed (n = 50) from urban areas. Urine samples were analyzed by GC-MS for triazoles, and samples from men and women in the exposed group were quantified. Groups were further stratified by sex to evaluate the biomarkers results. Oxidative stress was indicated by biomarker analysis for occupationally exposed men with elevated malondialdehyde levels and reduced superoxide dismutase and catalase activity (p < 0.0001). Bile acid levels were also elevated in the exposed group (p < 0.0001). Biomarkers in this study suggest recent, reversible changes due to pesticide exposure. Liver enzyme levels showed no significant differences. The highest Estimated Daily Intake for epoxiconazole ranged from 0.534 to 6.31 μg/kg-bw/day for men and 0.657-8.77 μg/kg-bw/day for women in the exposed group. Considering the highest detected urinary triazole value, the calculated Hazard Quotient for epoxiconazole was 0.789 for men and 1.1 for women. Results indicate a health risk associated with environmental triazole exposure, highlighting the importance of biomonitoring in risk assessment to prevent intoxication and assist in mitigating adverse health effects from chronic pesticide exposure.

Development of a chitosan hydrogel containing flavonoids extracted from Passiflora edulis leaves and the evaluation of its antioxidant and wound healing properties for the treatment of skin lesions in diabetic mice

This study aimed to develop a chitosan-based hydrogel containing a mixture of flavonoids isolated from the leaves of Passiflora edulis Sims and to evaluate its stability, antioxidant properties, and wound healing effects on cutaneous lesions in diabetic rats. in vitro studies were carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility and flavonoid release from the chitosan hydrogel. in vivo wound healing studies were conducted on male Wistar rats, where the injured tissue was removed for histological analysis and determination of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione peroxidase activity. From the histological analysis and macroscopic evaluation of the contraction of the wounds, it was observed that the formulation presented wound healing properties. In addition, treatment of the wound with the formulation stimulated the antioxidant defense system, suggesting a beneficial effect during the treatment of skin lesions in diabetic rats, especially in the first few days after wounding. According to these results, we can conclude that the chitosan hydrogel containing the flavonoid analyzed in this study has potential use as dressings in the treatment of wounds.