Abstract:
Various pesticides have demonstrated hazardous, genotoxic and carcinogenic potential
via different mechanisms, among of which oxidative stress. Until now, biomonitoring and
epidemiological studies have been carried out to assess toxic and genotoxic risk to exposed human populations. In this sense, the present study was carried out to determine cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of some pesticides used in Algeria. First, six pesticides have been tested for their potential genotoxicity using micronucleus test and chromosome aberration test in cultured human lymphocytes, and Allium cepa test. Results of both types of tests, in vitro and in situ, showed positive cytotoxic and genotoxic effects with the different tested pesticides. In the second part of the present study, a population of pesticide-exposed farmers has been monitored for possible health disturbances. Here, we focused on people exposed to complex mixtures of pesticides. The exposure of farm workers from Constantine to these hazardous chemicals was assessed and cytogenetic alterations were evaluated using blood lymphocytes micronucleus assay, chromosome aberration assay, hematological and lipid parameters, Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity and oxidative stress enzymes and biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of pesticides. The group of farm workers exposed to different types of
pesticides was evaluated and compared to matched non-exposed control group. A significant increase was observed in the frequencies of micronuclei, and chromosome aberrations in blood lymphocytes in the exposed groups (n = 21) compared to controls (n = 21). Some differences were detected regarding the hematological parameters, lipid profile and BChE activity. A significant difference was observed regarding oxidative stress parameters and biochemical parameters. These results suggest possible disrupting effect and genotoxic harms of pesticides.
