Organochlorine pesticide residue levels and oxidative stress in preterm delivery cases.

A number of studies have focused attention on various biochemical abnormalities evoked due to exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The aim of the present study was to analyze the OCP residues in maternal and cord blood of women and assess the levels of different non-enzymatic oxidative stress markers as well as to establish correlation with OCP levels, if any. Thirty women in each group of full-term delivery (FTD; > or =37 weeks of gestation) and preterm delivery (PTD; <37 weeks of gestation) were enrolled in this study. Levels of OCPs like Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), endosulfan, p,p(') Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and p,p' Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were analyzed by gas chromatography. Non-enzymatic oxidative stress was measured by the quantification of malondialhyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, reduced glutathione (GSH) and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). MDA and protein carbonyl levels were increased significantly, while the levels of GSH and FRAP were decreased in PTD in comparison to FTD cases. We have observed higher levels of beta-HCH and alpha-endosulfan and increased oxidative stress in PTD than FTD cases. In PTD cases, a significant positive correlation was observed between maternal blood levels of beta-HCH and MDA (r = .78), beta-HCH and GSH (r = -.65), gamma-HCH and MDA (r = .89), gamma-HCH and GSH (r = -.74) and alpha-endosulfan and MDA (r = .54) in PTD cases. We also found significant correlations between cord blood levels of beta-HCH and MDA (r = .59), beta-HCH and GSH (r = -.69), gamma-HCH and MDA (r = .62) and alpha-endosulfan and MDA (r = .54) in PTD cases. In conclusion, our results suggest that higher levels of some of the OCP residues may be associated with PTD and increased oxidative stress.

Maternal and cord blood levels of organochlorine pesticides: association with preterm labor.

OBJECTIVES: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been reported to cause adverse reproductive outcomes. Hence, the present study was conducted to estimate and compare the levels of OCPs in maternal and cord blood of preterm labor and full term labor cases as well as assess their role in preterm delivery. DESIGN AND METHODS: 23 cases each of preterm labor and full term labor were included in the study. Maternal and cord blood OCP levels were determined by using a GC-MS equipped with an electron capture detector. RESULTS: Maternal and cord blood levels of alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, total-HCH, p,p'DDE and p,p'DDT were found higher in preterm labor than full term labor cases. However, a statistically significant relation was observed between preterm birth and beta-HCH levels only. CONCLUSIONS: Higher blood levels of beta-HCH may be associated with risk of preterm labor.

Endosulfan and other organochlorine pesticide residues in maternal and cord blood in North Indian population.

Humans are exposed to various environmental chemicals such as organochlorine pesticide residues, heavy metals, polychlorinatedbiphenyls (PCBs) etc. There is paucity of data regarding the present blood levels of organochlorine residues in North Indian population with reference to reproductive health. The present study was designed to analyze the levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in maternal and cord blood samples of normal healthy women with full term pregnancy to gain insight into the current status of pesticide burden in newborns. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) contributed maximum towards the total organochlorine residues present in maternal and cord blood followed by endosulfan, pp' DDE and pp' DDT being the least. This is also the first report indicating endosulfan levels in this population. Our data indicates a transfer rate of 60-70% of these pesticides from mothers to newborns and this high rate of transfer of pesticides is of great concern as it may adversely affect the growth and development of newborn.

Development and characterization of a novel immobilized microbial membrane for rapid determination of biochemical oxygen demand load in industrial waste-waters.

The rapid determination of waste-water quality of waste-water treatment plants in terms of pollutional strength, i.e. biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is difficult or even impossible using the chemical determination method. The present study reports the determination of BOD within minutes using microbial BOD sensors, as compared to the 5-day determination using the conventional method. Multiple criteria establish the basis for the development of a BOD biosensor useful for rapid and reliable BOD estimation in industrial waste-waters. Of these, preparation of a suitable novel immobilized microbial membrane used in conjunction with an apt transducer is discussed. As a result, a microbial biosensor based on a formulated, synergistic, pre-tested microbial consortium has been developed for the measurement of BOD load of various industrial waste-waters. The sensor showed maximum response in terms of current difference, when a cell concentration of 2.25 x 10(10) CFU, harvested in their log phase of growth were utilized for microbial membrane construction. The sensor showed a stability of 180 days when the prepared membranes were stored at a temperature of 4 degrees C in 50 mM phosphate buffer of pH 6.8. The reusability of the immobilized membranes was up to 200 cycles without appreciable loss of their response characteristics. A linear relationship between the current change and a glucose-glutamic acid (GAA) concentration up to 60 mg l(-1) was observed (r=0.999). The lower detection limit was 1.0 mg l(-1) BOD. The sensor response was reproducible within +/-5% of the mean in a series of ten samples having 44 mg l(-1) BOD using standard a GGA solution. When used for the BOD estimation of industrial waste-waters, a relatively good agreement was found between the two methods, i.e. 5-day BOD and that measured by the developed microbial sensor.

Plumbism--a mimicker of common childhood symptoms.

Lead poisoning is a preventable entity that can affect almost every system of the body. Its toxic effects range from subtle common childhood symptoms to even death. In a prospective study forty six children with at least one symptom compatible with plumbism were enrolled after screening patients attending medical services at AIIMS. The work-up included a detailed clinical history and examination including intelligence quotient (IQ) and behaviour. Blood lead levels were estimated in all with due precautions. Their ages ranged from 2.5 to 18 years and M:F ratio was 2:1. The common symptoms included unexplained recurrent colic (39), anorexia (21), sporadic vomiting and constipation (13), pigmented gum lines (11), growth failure (11), history of pica (9) etc. None of the children had acceptable blood lead levels (< 10 micrograms/dl). Ninety three per cent children had levels > 20 micrograms/dl and 47.8% had > 45 micrograms/dl. Statistically significant correlation with blood lead levels was seen with most symptoms. Plumbism can mimic common childhood illnesses and should be investigated in children with a clinically compatible profile. Community awareness with regard to pica reduction may be an important preventive measure. This silent epidemic needs to be aggressively tackled by a multipronged approach.