Peripheral nerve dysfunction among workers with long term occupational exposure to pesticides

A comparative cross-section study was carried out on 36 workers with long-term exposure to pesticide [pesticide sprayers] and 20 pesticide unexposed controls, from Dekernes, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. General medical examination and neurological evaluation were performed to elicit sensory, motor manifestation; as well as neurophysiological study including nerve conduction and electromyography. Plasma cholinesterase level was estimated and correlated to neurological findings. Carbamates and Organophosphates were sprayed by most pesticide sprayers. Most of them had practiced pesticide application with improper personal hygiene, concerning: storage, mixing and preparation, spraying, disposal, and after work cleaning up. Symptoms of neuropathy; lower limbs sensory nerve signs; ankle hyporeflexia were insignificantly prevalent among pesticide sprayers while no motor signs were detected among them. A highly significant decrease of the conduction velocity and amplitude of motor unit action potential [MUAP] of the lower limbs examined nerves, and insignificant decrease of their terminal latencies was observed among pesticide sprayers compared to the control. This picture is not evident in the upper limbs examined nerves, in which the conduction velocities are decreased but with no statistical significant difference. This was consistent with axonal neuropathic affection of the examined lower limbs nerves. As regards sensory nerve conduction study there was a highly significant increase of the terminal latency; highly statistical significant decrease of the CV and amplitude of the superficial peroneal nerves and significant decrease of amplitude of upper limbs examined nerves among pesticide sprayers when compared with that of controls. Accordingly peripheral poly neuropathies were found to be more prevalent among pesticide sprayers [38.9%] compared to the control [5.0%]. Of them, 78.6% were subclinical neuropathies and 21.4% were possible neuropathies. Pesticide sprayers had a highly statistically significant lower plasma AChE mean level [1548.9 +/- 801.7 mu/ml] compared to the controls [6751.7 +/- 990.8 mu/ml]. The pesticide sprayers who worked from 15-20 years had the lowest AChE mean level, but the difference was statistically insignificant. Among pesticide sprayers, the means of AChE levels were significantly lower in the workers with neuropathy [981.7 +/- 524.9 mu/ml] more than those without neuropathy [1911.9 +/- 742.5 mu/ml]. Neuropathy was more prominent among sprayers who exposed for long duration [more than 5 years] [11.1 +/- 4.5 years]. Pesticide sprayers are vulnerable to develop peripheral neuropathy 2.78 folds increase when compared to controls. So reduction and legislative control of the pesticide use and disposal seem the best options to protect pesticide sprayers, farmers and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides. Also the use of protective equipment, the adoption of safety practices during field work, the health education programs about the risks of pesticide exposure, will help a lot to decrease the risk from the exposure to pesticides among pesticide sprayers. Pre-employment measurement of AChE, Occupational health surveillance and periodic medical monitoring with emphasis on the peripheral nervous system are recommended for all pesticide sprayers

Relationship between seminal plasma trace elements concentration and sprem function in male infertility

Six kinds of trace elements were analyzed in the seminal plasma of 10 fertile and 30 infertile men by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Some biochemical markers of accessory sex glands [fructose, alpha-glucosidase and citric acid] and induced acrosome reaction as a functional test of spermatozoa were also assessed. It was concluded that measurement of the seminal plasma trace elements concentration may provide some information in cases of infertility. Also, trace elements may have a beneficial role to predict the acrosome reactivity and the functional status of spermatozoa

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of morphone and phenobarbitone in dried human blood stains

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the age of the dried human bloodstains and the degree of detectability of morphine and phenobarbitone present in bloodstains. Detection of the drugs was studied in bloodstains at different time intervals [1, 14 days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 months] by using thin layer chromatography [TLC] and enzyme multiplied immunoassay [EMIT]. Furthermore, the effect of storage temperature [25C and 20C] on detectability of these drugs was investigated. The results showed that both phenobarbitone and morphine could be detected by TLC from recent and old blood stains up to 5 months at both 25C by using EMIT, the percentages of both phenobarbitone and morphine concentrations were 48.39% and 82.59%, respectively, after 5 months of storage at room temperature [25C]. Thus, the decrease in morphine concentrations was less marked than that of phenobarbitone indicating that morphine was more stable in bloodstains. On the other hand, storage of blood stain samples at-20C showed slight insignificant variation in the concentrations of both phenobarbitone and morphine at all the time intervals up to 5 months. It became 98.98% and 98.80%, respectively, after 5 months. Thus, storage of bloodstains at 20C had a stability effect on the tested drugs. Statistical regression equation was used to predict the concentrations and percentages of both phenobarbitone and morphine in the dried bloodstains provided that the age of bloodstain is known at the time of assay

Effect of reserpine [serpasil] on male fertility in rats

This study was conducted on 40 male rats divided into four equal groups: Two test groups receiving reserpine 0.1 mg/kg subcutaneously for 30 and 60 consecutive days and the other two received distilled water subcutaneously for the same period and served as controls. Sex organs weights, semen analysis, level of testosterone as well as histopathological examination were the criteria used to evaluate the reproductive performance of treated male rats. Reserpine significantly decreased testicular weight, sperm cells concentration, live sperms, percentage of sperm motility, velocity and plasma testosterone level. A significant increase in the percentage of sperm abnormalities was observed in treated groups. Histopathologically, reserpine induced mild to severe degenerative changes in the testes

Relationship between lead in breast milk and lead in blood of urban and rural mothers

Lead levels in breast milk and maternal blood of 60 lactating women were determined using Perkin-Elmer 2380 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean lead concentration in breast milk was 4.13 +/- 0.89 micro g/dl and 3.06 +/- 0.76 micro g/dl for urban and rural mothers respectively. The mean lead concentration in blood was 6.19 +/- 1.09 micro g/dl and 4.61 +/- 0.93 micro g/dl for urban and rural mothers respectively. Urban women showed higher lead concentrations of both breast milk lead and blood lead than that of rural women [P < 0.0001]. In this study, lead concentrations in both milk and blood were affected by maternal age and exposure to smoking. The most important factors used to predict lead concentrations of breast milk in the studied samples were maternal age and maternal blood lead concentration. According to the daily permissible intake value established by WHO which is 5.0 micro g/kg/day in mother's milk, the mean value for lead in breast milk of urban and rural mothers was higher than the permissible level [6.3 micro g/kg/day and 6.1 micro g/kg/day respectively]

experimental study of subchronic toxicity of perchloroethylene [PER] in mice

This study included 240 mature Swiss mice of both sexes. Mice were dividedinto three test groups [n = 50 in each group] that received low, moderate andhigh doses of per dissolved in calculated doses of pure corn oil orally anddaily for 70 days. Control groups [n = 30 in each group], administrated thecorresponding doses of pure corn oil. After 45 days, blood samples werecollected from each animal and blood and urine samples were collected after 70days. Complete blood picture analysis revealed a hemolytic anemia likepattern which was dose and duration dependent. Liver function tests showedsignificant increase of ALT and AST enzyme activities which were dosedependent. Kidney function tests showed significant increase in the level ofserum creatinine only in the high dose group. Beta-2 microglobulin wasundetected in urine of all mice. Histopathological studies of the animalsinternal groups revealed significant changes in spleen, liver and kidneysmatching with the results of blood, liver enzymes, serum creatinine and absentbeta-2 microglobulin. Dysplasia was found in the liver of male mice more thanfemales. Lungs showed significant pathological changes, while testes showedsome degree maturation arrest

Chronic toxicity of perchloroethylene [PCE] in workers of dry-cleaning shops

Twenty-four male workers in dry-cleaning shops were investigated for effects of chronic exposure to perchloroethylene in their work places. A control group [n=24] matched by age and sex with the workers was also studied. Systemicexamination, chest X-rays, pulmonary function test, EEG, EMG and liverfunction tests [ALT, AST, GGT, LDH and serum bilirubin, bile acid and albumin]were done to both groups [workers and controls]. The results revealedneuropsychic and gastrointestinal manifestations in all workers [100%] andchest manifestations in 79.17%. X-ray showed chronic bronchitis in 6 workersand emphysematous changes in ten cases; a significant reduction of pulmonary function test was observed with a significant correlation between the duration of PCE exposure, FEV1 and FVC, normal EEC, abnormal EMG finding in 83.33% ofworkers. Increased activities of liver enzymes, serum bilirubin and bile acidand hypoalbuminemia were found in PCE exposed workers