The assessment of nephrotoxic effect of organophosphorous pesticides based on the determination of the activity of some selected enzymes in urine.

ABSTRACT

Pesticides and their metabolites are excreted mainly by the kidneys. The effect of these compounds on the kidney parenchyma was evaluated on the basis of determinations of the activity of the following enzymes alkaline phosphate, N-acetylglucosaminidase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and arginase in urine of workers employed at the department producing organophosphorous pesticides (32 males and 53 females) as well as those employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos (35 males). The activity of most of the estimated enzymes was significantly higher as compared to control groups. The dynamic of changes of enzyme activity was traced in the workers employed at the department producing chlorfenvinphos over their first 18 months of employment.