Identification of markers of depression and neurotoxicity in pesticide exposed agriculture workers. Issue 6 (1st March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kori, Rajesh K.; Mandrah, Kapil; Hasan, Whidul; Patel, Devendra K.; Roy, Somendu K.; Yadav, Rajesh S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology. Volume 34:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-03-01
• Subjects: agricultural workers -- depression -- neurochemicals -- pesticide residues -- neurobehavioral toxicity; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 574
• DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22477
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1095-6670

Abstract

Abstract: Earlier, we reported that chronic exposure to pesticides causes a reduction in the acetylcholinesterase activity and hematological and biochemical alterations in agriculture workers. In continuation with that, the present study aimed to investigate the pesticide‐induced neurochemical imbalance and its association with behavior alterations in agricultural workers. A significant increase in depressive symptoms, assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory‐II was observed in pesticide exposed workers as compared to the unexposed. A decrease in the level of dopamine in plasma and levels of dopamine, 3, 4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acids, norepinephrine, serotonin, and hydroxyindoleacetic acid in urine was also observed. An increase in the levels of MAO‐A and MAO‐B has also been observed in these individuals. The decreased levels of neurotransmitters in the blood and urine have been linked with increased levels of MAO and pesticide residues in plasma and urine. Furthermore, these changes were associated with a higher incidence of depression in agricultural workers. Abstract : The extensive use of pesticides leads to various human health problems. The present study investigated the effect of pesticides on markers of depression, neurotoxicity and neurochemical alterations in farm workers. The results suggested that pesticide exposure caused neurochemical alterations linked with depression and presence of high level of pesticide residues in blood of farm worker. Research Highlights: Extensive use of pesticide leads to inevitable exposure in farmworkers. In the last few decades, a large number of cases of suicide in farmworkers has been reported. Adverse clinical effects in pesticide exposed farmworkers have been observed. Neurobehavioral toxicity associated with neurochemical alterations was found in the exposed population as compared to controls Neurochemical alteration was found to be associated with pesticide residues in chronically exposed farmworkers.