Comparative toxicological study between exposed and non-exposed farmers to organophosphorus pesticides

Objective: The purpose of this work was to compare DNA damage, acetylcholinesterase [AChE] activity, inflammatory markers and clinical symptoms in farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides to individuals that had no pesticide exposure

Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a total of 134 people. The subject group consisted of 67 farmers who were exposed to organophosphorus pesticides. The control group consisted of 67 people without any contact with pesticides matched with the subject group in terms of age, gender, and didactics. Oxidative DNA damage, the activities of AChE, interleukin-6 [IL6], IL10 and C-reactive protein [CRP] in serum were measured and clinical examinations conducted in order to register all clinical signs

Results: Compared with the control group, substantial gains were observed in the farmers' levels of oxidative DNA damage, IL10 and CRP. There was significantly less AChE activity in farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides. The levels of IL6 in both groups did not significantly differ

Conclusion: The outcomes show that exposure to organophosphorus pesticides may cause DNA oxidative damage, inhibit AChE activity and increase the serum levels of in-flammatory markers. Using biological materials instead of chemical pesticides and encouraging the use of safety equipment by farmers are some solutions to the adverse effects of exposure to organophosphorous pesticides

comparative study of genotoxicity and oxidative stress before and after using lemon balm and cinnamon in subjects exposed to nickel welding fumes

By producing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, metal-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity alter DNA bases, increase lipid peroxidation, and change calcium and sulfhydryl homeostasis. The purpose of the study was to investigate putative effects of Lemon balm and Cinnamomum zeylanicum on the blood markers of welding workers. We measured nickel and chromium levels, biochemical parameters, blood oxidative stress markers, total antioxidant capacity [TAC], Myeloperoxidase [MPO], lipid peroxidation [LPO], and DNA damage. The study was conducted on 55 male workers who worked in an industrial subjects exposed to Nickel Welding Fumes. The participants were administered Lemon balm and Cinnamon extract infusion 1.5 [0.12 extract] and 0.25[0.013 extract] g/100 mL, respectively, they have drunken twice a day for 30 days at 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM every day. In order to analyze the achieved data, paired t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient have been used. After using the extract infusion, a significant increase revealed in TAC [p= 0.007]. Also, administration of infusion decreased DNA damage but it was not statistically significant. After administration of infusion, a decrease in LPO and MPO were observed [p= 0.014, p=0.000 respectively]. Also there is positive correlation between ALP and Ni with 8-oH-dG and also, between Ni and TAC. The results indicate that using infusion causes to raise in a TAC and reduce in DNA damage

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Arak, Iran during 2011

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] is a global pathogen with a widely varied prevalence [30%-80%] among different countries and populations. This study aims to determine the prevalence ofH. pylori in the population of Arak, Iran. This was an epidemiologic cross-sectional population-based study with multistage sampling. The population of Arak according to the 2006 census was 615,722 [493,845 urban and 121,857 rural residents]. In this survey, five urban and four rural Health Service Centers were randomly selected. The study population was divided between these centers based on the population of individuals covered by these centers. Subsequently, clustered samples were randomly chosen according to Health Care Unit Family Codes and the Right Hand Rule. After obtaining informed consent and completion of a demographic questionnaire, 5 cc of venous blood was taken from each participant for theH. pylori IgG antibody test. In this study IgG antibody against H. pylori was measured by ELISA. Of 1187 participants, 1150 [853 urban and 297 rural] completed the study. Overall, 673 [58.5%] were positive for H. pylori. The prevalence of H. pylori infection increased with age from 43.9% among those<20 years old to>70% in participants over 50 years old [p=0.002]. A total of 57% urban samples and 63.3% rural samples were H. pylori positive [p=0.028]. There was no relationship between H. pylori infection and education level [p=0.37], career [p=0.39] and income, [p=0.29] in either the urban or rural areas [p=0.64 [education level], 0.48 [career], and 0.57 [income]]. Our study showed a lower prevalence ofH. pylori compared to some Asian countries, however this prevalence was more common than Western countries. Using disinfected tap water in both urban and rural areas in addition to improved access to general health care might have a role in this relative lower prevalence

Anti-oxidative stress activity of Stachys Lavandulifolia aqueous extract in human

Medicinal plants are presumed to be natural sources of antioxidants that protect organisms from oxidative stresses. The present investigation aims to study the anti-oxidative stress activity of the Stachys lavandulifolia [S. lavandulifolia] plant. This trial was conducted on 26 healthy human subjects. The study was done in a before after fashion. The included subjects were asked to consume the prepared infusion from 3 g aerial parts of S. lavandulifolia on a daily basis. Doses were administered in every morning and evening for 14 days. At the beginning and the end of the study, blood samples were acquired to determine the level of cellular lipid peroxidation and the total content of serum antioxidants. Biomarkers analyzed from samples obtained before start of treatment and 14 days post treatment, were subjected to paired t test analysis. Total blood antioxidants increased and reached from 2.3 +/- 0.84 micro mol/ml to 3.3 +/- 0.54 micro mol/ml. The lipid peroxidation reduced and reached from 8.38 +/- 1.78 to 11.6 +/- 2.64 nmol/ml. The results suggest that S. lavandulifolia possesses marked anti-oxidative stress activity and it can be useful as a supplement in the management of diseases related to oxidative stress [Registration Number: IRCT2013012210003N2]