Exposição ocupacional de trabalhadores rurais a agrotóxicos como fator de risco para depressão: avaliação de parâmetros inflamatórios, bioquímicos e oxidativos

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Florianópolis, 2023.O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores de alimentos do mundo e um dos maiores consumidores de agrotóxicos. Este estudo buscou elucidar os mecanismos pelos quais a exposição ocupacional a agrotóxicos pode levar ao desenvolvimento de transtornos mentais comuns, como ansiedade e depressão. realizou-se uma revisão sistemática, investigando se a exposição ocupacional a agrotóxicos é fator de risco para depressão, ansiedade e suicídio. Os resultados mostraram que a exposição a agrotóxicos é fator de risco para depressão e que intoxicações prévias ou múltiplas intoxicações por agrotóxicos aumentam as estimativas de risco para depressão ou outros transtornos mentais. Demonstrou-se também que as taxas de suicídio aumentam em áreas dedicadas à agricultura com consumo intensivo de agrotóxicos. Os dados sugerem que deve ser dedicada maior atenção à saúde mental do agricultor. Posteriormente, avaliou-se a saúde mental dos trabalhadores rurais do Oeste Catarinense, assim como o perfil oxidativo e inflamatório. Foram selecionados trabalhadores rurais expostos ocupacionalmente a agrotóxicos para o grupo teste, e indivíduos residentes na área urbana do município de Maravilha/SC não expostos ocupacionalmente a agrotóxicos para o grupo controle. Foram coletados dados sócio demográficos, história ocupacional e história clínica dos participantes. Como instrumento de avaliação do estado emocional foi aplicado o Inventário de Ansiedade (IDATE) e o Inventário de Beck para depressão (IDB). Parâmetros bioquímicos, inflamatórios e de dano oxidativo foram avaliados em amostras de sangue de ambos os grupos. A classe de agrotóxicos mais utilizada pelos participantes do estudo foi a dos herbicidas, com destaque para o glifosato. O grupo exposto apresentou pontuação maior para sintomas depressivos quando comparado ao grupo controle, além de apresentar sintomas mais graves de depressão. A exposição crônica a agrotóxicos induziu estresse oxidativo e modificador periférico, mesmo na ausência de intoxicação aguda, e pode ser um dos mecanismos de neurotoxicidade provocada pelos agrotóxicos. Além da neurotoxicidade, a baixa escolaridade também parece estar associada a sintomas depressivos em agricultores. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para elucidar o mecanismo de indução da neurotoxicidade dos agrotóxicos, e sua relação com transtornos mentais comuns.Abstract: Brazil is one of the largest food producers in the world and one of the largest consumers of pesticides. This study sought to elucidate the mechanisms by which occupational exposure to pesticides can lead to the development of common mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Initially, a systematic review was carried out, investigating whether occupational exposure to pesticides is a risk factor for depression, anxiety and suicide. The results showed that occupational exposure to pesticides is a risk factor for depression and that previous pesticide poisoning increases risk estimates for depression or other mental disorders. It has also been shown that suicide rates increase in areas dedicated to agriculture with intensive consumption of pesticides. The data suggest that more attention should be dedicated to the mental health of the farmer. Subsequently, the mental health of rural workers in western Santa Catarina was evaluated, as well as the oxidative and inflammatory profile. Rural workers occupationally exposed to pesticides were selected for the test group, and individuals residing in the urban area of the municipality of Maravilha/SC not occupationally exposed to pesticides for the control group. Sociodemographic data, occupational history and clinical history of the participants were collected. Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used as an instrument to assess emotional state. Biochemical, inflammatory and oxidative damage parameters were evaluated in blood samples from both groups. The class of pesticides most used by study participants was herbicides, with emphasis on glyphosate. The exposed group had a higher score for depressive symptoms when compared to the control group, in addition to having more severe symptoms of depression. Chronic exposure to pesticides induced oxidative stress and peripheral inflammation, even in the absence of acute intoxication, and this may be one of the mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced by pesticides. In addition to neurotoxicity, low education also seems to be associated with depressive symptoms in farmers. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of induction of neurotoxicity from pesticides, and its relationship with common mental disorders

Bixin and Norbixin Have Opposite Effects on Glycemia, Lipidemia, and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study investigated the effects of oral administration of annatto carotenoids (bixin (BIX) and norbixin (NBIX)) on glucose levels, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Animals were treated for 30 days in the following groups: nondiabetic control, diabetic vehicle, diabetic 10 mg/kg BIX, diabetic 100 mg/kg BIX, diabetic 10 mg/kg NBIX, diabetic 100 mg/kg NBIX, diabetic metformin, and diabetic insulin. Blood glucose, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were reduced in the diabetic rats treated with BIX. BIX treatment prevented protein oxidation and nitric oxide production and restored superoxide dismutase activity. NBIX treatment did not change most parameters assessed, and at the highest dose, it increased LDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels and showed prooxidant action (increased protein oxidation and nitric oxide levels). These findings suggested that BIX could have an antihyperglycemic effect, improve lipid profiles, and protect against damage induced by oxidative stress in the diabetic state. Because NBIX is a water-soluble analog of BIX, we propose that lipophilicity is crucial for the protective effect of annatto carotenoids against streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Green tea infusion improves cyclophosphamide-induced damage on male mice reproductive system

Green tea presents catechins as its major components and it has a potential antioxidant activity. Cyclophosmamide (CP) is an antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent, known to reduce fertility. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of green tea infusion on cyclophosphamide-induced damage in male mice reproductive system. Mice received green tea infusion (250 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage for 14 days. Saline or CP were injected intraperitoneally at a single dose (100 mg/kg) at the 14th day. Animals were euthanized 24 h after CP administration and testes and epididymis were removed for biochemical analysis and sperm evaluation. Catechins concentration in green tea infusion was evaluated by HPLC. CP increased lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and superoxide dismutase activity whereas sperm concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and 17β-hydroxysteroid (17β-HSD) dehydrogenase activities were reduced in both tissues tested. Catalase activity and protein carbonyl levels were changed only in testes, after CP administration. Green tea pre-treatment reduced significantly lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, DNA damage and restored GPx and GST activity in testes. In epididymis, therapy significantly increased sperm concentration and restored GPx and 17β-HSD activity. Green tea improves CP-induced damage on reproductive system, probably due to their high catechins content

Selenofuranoside Ameliorates Memory Loss in Alzheimer-Like Sporadic Dementia: AChE Activity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation Involvement

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is becoming more common due to the increase in life expectancy. This study evaluated the effect of selenofuranoside (Se) in an Alzheimer-like sporadic dementia animal model. Male mice were divided into 4 groups: control, Aβ, Se, and Aβ + Se. Single administration of Aβ peptide (fragments 25–35; 3 nmol/3 μL) or distilled water was administered via intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. Selenofuranoside (5 mg/kg) or vehicle (canola oil) was administered orally 30 min before Aβ and for 7 subsequent days. Memory was tested through the Morris water maze (MWM) and step-down passive-avoidance (SDPA) tests. Antioxidant defenses along with reactive species (RS) were assessed. Inflammatory cytokines levels and AChE activity were measured. SOD activity was inhibited in the Aβ group whereas RS were increased. AChE activity, GSH, and IL-6 levels were increased in the Aβ group. These changes were reflected in impaired cognition and memory loss, observed in both behavioral tests. Se compound was able to protect against memory loss in mice in both behavioral tests. SOD and AChE activities as well as RS and IL-6 levels were also protected by Se administration. Therefore, Se is promising for further studies