Occupational Evaluation of Federal Highway Police Officers Exposed to Cholinesterase Inhibiting Insecticides.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure of federal highway police (PRF) officers to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides. METHODS: We evaluate erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase activity, pulse rate, systolic and diastolic pressure, and clinical evaluation through the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fifth Edition . RESULTS: All PRF officers evaluated were male, between 22 and 49 years of age. Pulse rate of the subjects were statistically superior in the post-exposure moment when compared with pre-exposure moment. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase was significant in the post-exposure moment when compared with pre-exposure moment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present work show that there are significant biochemical changes, which can be the beginning of serious deleterious effects to the health of PRF officers.

Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium levels: from validation of the method to analysis in volunteers diagnosed to migraine

Deficiency of serum magnesium is associated with the incidence of migraine attacks. The present study aimed to evaluate plasma and erythrocyte magnesium levels in a group of patients diagnosed with migraine. Human donors were selected from basic health units (migraine, n = 25) and from a collection and transfusion unit (control, n = 25), both located in the city of Sinop, Brazil. Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium were assessed using flame atomic absorption. Plasma magnesium concentration was significantly lower in the migraine group (0.172 ± 0.018) compared to the control group (0.197 ± 0.020 mg/L), and erythrocyte magnesium concentration was also lower in the migraine group (0.393 ± 0.053 mg/L) compared to the control group (0.432 ± 0.056 mg/L). The method for analysis of magnesium in human plasma and erythrocytes by flame atomic absorption was shown to be in accordance with validation guidelines. This study shows that plasma and erythrocyte magnesium levels were significantly lower in volunteers diagnosed with migraine compared to healthy volunteers. Furthermore, erythrocyte magnesium proved to be a better marker than plasma magnesium for patients with migraine.