Top

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity among healthy dwellers of an agrarian region in Sri Lanka: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Authors: Devarajan Rathish, Indika Senavirathna, Channa Jayasumana, Suneth Agampodi

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Assessment of acetylcholinesterase-inhibitor insecticide (AChEII) toxicity depends on the measurement of red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (RBC-AChE) activity. Its interpretation requires baseline values which is lacking in scientific literature. We aim to find the measures of central tendency and variation for RBC-AChE activity among dwellers of Anuradhapura, where the use and abuse of AChEIIs were rampant for the last few decades.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study with a community-based sampling for 100 healthy non-farmers (male:female = 1:1) was done using pre-determined selection criteria. Duplicate measurements of RBC-AChE activity were performed according to the modified Ellman procedure. Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis were sort for RBC-AChE activity against its possible determinants.

Results

RBC-AChE activity had a mean of 449.8 (SD 74.2) mU/μM Hb with a statistical power of 0.847. It was similar to values of “healthy controls” from previous Sri Lankan toxicological studies but was low against international reference value [586.1 (SD 65.1) mU/μM Hb]. None of the possible determinants showed a significant strength of relationship with RBC-AChE activity.

Conclusion

The baseline RBC-AChE activity among people of Anuradhapura is low in comparison with international reference values. This arises a need to find a causative mechanism.

Available only for authorised users

Colovic MB, Krstic DZ, Lazarevic-Pasti TD, Bondzic AM, Vasic VM. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: pharmacology and toxicology. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2013;11(3):315–35.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Giacobini E. Cholinesterase inhibitors: new roles and therapeutic alternatives. Pharmacol Res. 2004;50(4):433–40.CrossRefPubMed

Vale A, Lotti M. Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticide poisoning. Handb Clin Neurol. 2015;131:149–68.CrossRefPubMed

Haboubi NA, Thurnham DI. Effect of ethanol on erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity. Ann Clin Biochem. 1986;23(4):458–62.CrossRefPubMed

Katz KD. Organophosphate Toxicity Workup: Laboratory Studies, Imaging Studies, Electrocardiography. Medscape. 2015 [cited 2018 Feb 26]. Available from: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/167726-workup

McNab C. WHO | Pesticides are a leading suicide method: WHO Communications; 2006. [cited 2018 Feb 4]; Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2006/np24/en/

Thomas SHL, White J. Organophosphorus insecticides and nerve agents. In: Walker BR, Colledge NR, Ralston SH, Penman ID, editors. Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine. 22nd ed. Edinburgh London New York Oxford Philadelphia St Louis Sydney Toronto: Elsevier Limited; 2014. p. 220.

Senarathna L, Jayamanna SF, Kelly PJ, Buckley NA, Dibley MJ, Dawson AH. Changing epidemiologic patterns of deliberate self poisoning in a rural district of Sri Lanka. BMC Public Health. 2012;12(1):593.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Census of Population and Housing, Department of Census and Statistics, Ministry of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs, Sri Lanka. 2012 [cited 2018 Feb 4]. p. 52. Available from: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/Pages/Activities/Reports/FinalReport/FinalReportE.pdf.

10.

Annual Bulletin, Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey, Department of Census and Statistics, Ministry of Finance and Planning. 2014 [cited 2018 Feb 4]. p. 2–3. Available from: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/samplesurvey/LFS_Annual Bulletin_2014-f.pdf.

11.

Gazette [Internet]. Department of Government Printing. 2018 [cited 2018 Feb 4]. Available from: http://documents.gov.lk/en/gazette.php

12.

Adult Tobacco Use Information. National Health Interview Survey. 2015 [cited 2017 Mar 10]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/tobacco/tobacco_glossary.htm

13.

Drinking Levels Defined [Internet]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 2016 [cited 2017 Mar 10]. Available from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking

14.

Worek F. Standard operation procedure - Determination of cholinesterase status in whole blood and plasma. 4.1 ed. Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie der Bundeswehr, München; 2013.

15.

Worek F, Mast U, Kiderlen D, Diepold C, Eyer P. Improved determination of acetylcholinesterase activity in human whole blood. Clin Chim Acta. 1999;288(1–2):73–90.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Sigma-Aldrich, analytical reagents and solvents [Internet]. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. 2018 [cited 2018 Feb 8]. Available from: https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/analytical-chromatography/analytical-reagents.html

17.

AChE check Control high/low. Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG, Germany. 2018 [cited 2018 Feb 8]. Available from: https://www.securetec.net/sites/default/files/03_Produkte/ChECheck/Dateien/ache_control_acetylcholinesterase_flyer_70531_en_v01.pdf

18.

Spectro 2000. Labomed, Inc, USA. 2001 [cited 2018 Feb 8]. Available from: http://www.labomed.com/2000rs.htm

19.

SAS® University Edition [Internet]. SAS Institute Inc., USA. 2018 [cited 2018 Feb 8]. Available from: https://www.sas.com/en_us/software/university-edition.html

20.

Peiris-John RJ, Ruberu DK, Wickremasinghe AR, Smit LAM, Van der Hoek W. Effects of occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides on nerve and neuromuscular function. J Occup Environ Med. 2002;44(4):352–7.CrossRefPubMed

21.

Smit LA, et al. Neurological symptoms among Sri Lankan farmers occupationally exposed to acetyl cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides. Am J Indian Med. 2003;44:254–64.CrossRef

22.

Peiris-John R, Wanigasuriya J, Wickremasinghe A, Dissanayake W, Hittarage A. Exposure to acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides and chronic renal failure. Ceylon Med J. 2009;51(1):42.CrossRef

23.

Test-mate ChE Cholinesterase Test System (Model 400) - Instruction Manual. [Internet]. EQM Research, Inc. Ohio; 2003 [cited 2018 Feb 4]. p. 18. Available from: http://www.eqmresearch.com/Manual-E.pdf

24.

Arrieta DE, McCurdy SA, Henderson JD, Lefkowitz LJ, Reitstetter R, Wilson BW. Normal range of human red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2009;32(3):182–5.

25.

Rathish D, Agampodi SB, Jayasumana MACS, Siribaddana SH. From organophosphate poisoning to diabetes mellitus: the incretin effect. Med Hypotheses. 2016;91:53–5.CrossRefPubMed

26.

Soysal P, Isik AT, Stubbs B, Solmi M, Volpe M, Luchini C, et al. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are associated with weight loss in older people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2016;87(12):1368–74.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity among healthy dwellers of an agrarian region in Sri Lanka: a descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Devarajan Rathish
Indika Senavirathna
Channa Jayasumana
Suneth Agampodi
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-018-0717-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity among healthy dwellers of an agrarian region in Sri Lanka: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2018

Association between diabetes and pesticides: a case-control study among Thai farmers

Preliminary monitoring of concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5) in seven townships of Yangon City, Myanmar

Childhood intestinal parasitic infection and sanitation predictors in rural Dembiya, northwest Ethiopia

Spectrophotometric determination of ammonia levels in tobacco fillers of and sidestream smoke from different cigarette brands in Japan

Correction to: Skin cancer risk perception and sun protection behavior at work, at leisure, and on sun holidays: a survey for Danish outdoor and indoor workers

Factors for inhibition of early discharge from the psychiatric emergency ward for elderly patients