ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the genotoxic effect of exposure to a mixture of pesticides in 106 female agricultural workers employed in cotton fields from India. METHODS: Comet, micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations tests were carried out in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Micronucleus test was also performed in buccal epithelial cells. Levels of antioxidant enzymes, RBC acetylcholinesterase and hematological parameters were analyzed in the blood samples of the study subjects. RESULTS: The results indicated significant DNA damage, increased frequency of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in the exposed subjects (p < 0.05). The levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lowered and the rate of lipid peroxidation was elevated in the exposed subjects. CONCLUSION: The outcome of the study revealed an increased risk of genotoxicity and health implications in female agricultural workers.
Subject(s)
Agriculture , Mutagenicity Tests/methods , Occupational Exposure/analysis , Pesticides/pharmacology , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Antioxidants/metabolism , Chromosome Aberrations/chemically induced , DNA Damage/drug effects , Female , Humans , India , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Lymphocytes/chemistry , Micronucleus Tests , Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Pesticides/toxicity , Young AdultABSTRACT
This study investigated the oxidative stress induced after acute oral treatment with 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg⻹ doses of Al2O3 -30 and -40 nm and bulk Al2O3 in Wistar rats. Both the nanomaterials induced significant oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner in comparison to the bulk. There was no significant difference between the two nanomaterials. However, the effect decreased with increase with time after treatment. The histopathological examination showed lesions only in liver with Al2O3 nanomaterials at 2000 mg kg⻹.
Subject(s)
Aluminum Oxide/toxicity , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology , Liver/drug effects , Metal Nanoparticles/toxicity , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Administration, Oral , Animals , Brain/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Brain/pathology , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/metabolism , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/pathology , Female , Glutathione/metabolism , Heart/drug effects , Kidney/drug effects , Kidney/metabolism , Kidney/pathology , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Myocardium/metabolism , Myocardium/pathology , Nanotechnology , Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Toxicity Tests, AcuteABSTRACT
Host location and acceptance by egg parasitoids can be mediated by close-range host stimuli. In this study, we tested the response of Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead to cuticular extracts of adult and larval rice yellow stem borer (YSB), Scripophaga incertulas Walker. We also studied the wasps' response to extracts from YSB larval frass. Laboratory bioassays revealed that hexane extracts of the adult host body stimulate ovipositor probing of T. japonicum. Extracts of larval frass also stimulated parasitization. In contrast, host larval cuticular extracts had no effect on parasitization rates. Fractionation of the crude extracts of adult YSB cuticular extracts was performed using silica gel chromatography, followed by bioassays of the individual fractions to test their effects on wasp behavior. Analyses of the most active fractions by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the extract contained saturated long chain alkanes and alkenes, with carbon numbers ranging from C20 to C32. Hydrocarbons were applied onto host eggs to test their effects on parasitization rates. Treatments of eggs with docosane, tetracosane, pentacosane, and eicosane enhanced host egg parasitization, while pentadecane, hexadecane, and nonadecane deterred oviposition.
