Correlation Study Between Erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase Activity, Serum Malondialdehyde and Insulin Sensitivity in Agricultural Workers and Non-agricultural Workers in Nat-Kan Village, Magway Township.

OBJECTIVE

This study determined the correlation between erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and insulin sensitivity in agricultural workers and non-agricultural workers.

METHODOLOGY

The cross-sectional comparative study was undertaken in 45 agricultural and 45 non-agricultural workers from Nat-Kan Village, Magway Township. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity and serum malondialdehyde were measured by spectrophotometric method. Insulin sensitivity was calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR).

RESULTS

Mean erythrocyte AChE activity was significantly lower in agricultural (3553.99 IU/L) compared with nonagricultural workers (4432.68 IU/L) (<0.001). A significant high level of mean serum MDA was observed in agricultural workers (0.74 versus 0.28 μmol/L, <0.001). Median HOMA-IR value was significantly higher in agricultural (2.74) than that of non-agricultural workers (2.28) (<0.05). The risk of insulin resistance was 2.8 times greater in agricultural workers than non-agricultural workers (OR 2.8, 95% CI, 1.18 to 6.72). Erythrocyte AChE activity had weak negative correlation with serum MDA level (r=-0.357, <0.001) and HOMA-IR (ρ= -0.305, <0.05). There was a significant but weak positive correlation between serum MDA level and HOMA-IR (ρ=0.355, <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Organophosphate pesticide exposure lowered erythrocyte AChE activity and increased oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is partly attributed to the development of insulin resistance.