engleski

Evaluation of relative telomere length in agricultural workers exposed to multiple pesticides

Agricultural workers are often exposed to high levels of pesticides over prolonged periods of time. We attempted to determine whether exposure to multiple pesticides shortens relative telomere length (RTL) in lymphocytes of agricultural workers. To determine relative telomere length, we used quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization on metaphase spreads. Original metaphase images hybridized with telomere probes were used to determine RTL with Telomere Measurement software. Multivariate analysis of variances considering demographic and exposure parameters as confounding factors (age, gender, smoking, alcohol intake) did not show a decrease, but rather an increase of RTL in agricultural workers compared to control for each chromosome pair. Multiple regression analysis was done to evaluate the strength of influence of each recorded demographic factor on RTL values at the level of autosomes/allosome groups. None of the evaluated factors exhibited significant influence on RTL values. Among the workers, the highest influence on RTL values of autosomes was observed for age and exposure duration. In the control group, autosomal RTL values were most influenced by alcohol consumption and smoking. RTL values for X chromosomes in the exposed group were most affected by age and exposure duration, while in the controls, the highest influence was observed for alcohol consumption and smoking habits. Among male agriculturists, the Y chromosome RTL value was most influenced by age and exposure duration, while among control men, the highest influence was observed for alcohol consumption and age. In conclusion, multiple pesticide exposure in agricultural workers did not shorten RTL in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

relative telomere lenght; agricultural workers; pesticides; FISH

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