Effect of Dimethoate and Chlorpyrifos in Hepatic and Renal Function of People Belonging to Risk Groups in Iraklia Serres (N. Greece)

Aims: There is little evidence concerning the effects of organophosphates in the liver of healthy individuals, and the existing researches come to contradictive results. In this study, we evaluated the influence of organophosphates (Dimethoate, Chlorpyrifos) in liver and renal function of healthy exposed workers, not experiencing symptoms of serious intoxication.
Study Design: Measure serum activity of the liver function monitoring enzymes SGPT, SGOT, γ-GT and ALP and serum concentration of the renal function indicative biomarkers urea and creatinine.
Place and Duration of Study: Sample were collected in Health Care Greece of Iraklia Serres and analyzed in Department of Medical Laboratory Studies Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki.
Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 112 individuals, randomly selected from villagers of N. Greece. 42 of them were organophosphates (OP) applicators aged less than 50 years old (mean age 37 years old) and 42 were OP applicators older than 50 years old (mean age 58 years old); while 28 individuals (13 of them were less than 50 years old and 15 older than 50 years) were not OP applicators and used as control groups.
Results: A remarkable and statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in the main liver-function monitoring enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, γ-GT) was observed in exposed people compared to the control group. Increase in ALP values compared to not exposed individuals was not observed. Concerning the kidneys, data analysis shows that there is not any significant effect on their operation by the use of OP.
Conclusion: The age of OP applicators and the time past between the application and the measure of blood serum seems to play an important role in the values of hepatic enzymes. While the renal indicators seemed not so much affected, as organophosphates are rapidly metabolized in human organism.