Nor Zamzila Abdullah

Pesticide Exposure and Cardiovascular Hemodynamic Parameters Among Male Workers Involved in Mosquito Control in East Coast of Malaysia

BACKGROUND Research findings have linked exposure to pesticides to an increased risk of cardiovascular (CVS) diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of chronic mix-pesticides exposure on CVS hemodynamic parameters. METHODS A total of 198 male Malay pesticide-exposed and 195 male Malay nonexposed workers were examined. Data were collected through exposure-matrix assessment, questionnaire, blood analyses, and CVS assessment. Explanatory variables comprised of lipid profiles, paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Outcome measures comprised of brachial and aortic diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic BP (SBP), heart rate, and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Linear regressions identified the B coefficient showing how many units of CVS parameters are associated with each unit of covariates. RESULTS Diazoxonase was significantly lower and ox-LDL was higher among pesticide-exposed workers than the comparison group. The final multivariate linear regression model revealed that age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and pesticide exposure were independent predictors of brachial and aortic DBP and SBP. Pesticide exposure was also associated with heart rate, but not with PWV. Lipid profiles, PON1 enzymes, and ox-LDL showed no association with any of the CVS parameters. CONCLUSIONS Chronic mix-pesticide exposure among workers involved in mosquito control has possible association with depression of diazoxonase and the increase in ox-LDL, brachial and aortic DBP and SBP, and heart rate. This study raises concerns that those using pesticides may be exposed to hitherto unrecognized CVS risks among others. If this is confirmed by further studies, greater efforts will be needed to protect these workers.

Early effects of high cholesterol diet on the kidney of an animal model

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have proven that there exists a complex association between progressive kidney damage and hypercholesterolemia. Most of them focused on the impact of chronically high blood cholesterol levels on the kidney. Information on the early effects of hypercholesterolemia on the kidney is still lacking. The aim of this study is therefore to determine early effects of high cholesterol diet on the kidney in an animal model. METHODOLOGY: Ten female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the control group, fed with commercial rat pellet and the high cholesterol diet (HCD) group, fed with 12% cholesterol diet with 0.3% cholic acid. Biochemical analysis of the lipid profile and renal function were performed at completed 48 hours, 7 days, and 6 weeks of the experiment. The animals were sacrificed at 6 weeks and the kidneys were harvested for histological examination. RESULTS: The HCD group rats had significantly higher levels of serum total cholesterol (at 7 days and 6 weeks). The HDL-c and triglyceride levels were, however lower at 6 weeks. The mean serum creatinine level of the HCD group was increased after 48 hours and 7 days compared to control group. Histological examination of the kidney tissue of the HCD group at 6 weeks revealed segmental mesangial hypercellularity and mesangial matrix expansion of the glomeruli. CONCLUSION: The 12% cholesterol diet induced dyslipidaemia in the animal model. It resulted in acute kidney injury based on the serum creatinine at 48 hours and also 7 days. Kidney tissues examined at 6 weeks revealed changes confined to mesangial cells of the renal glomeruli.