Biochemical effects of pesticide contaminated drinking water on lipid peroxidation and free-radical scavenger

Abstract

In agriculture, pesticides are commonly used for achieving better quality prouducts, increased production rate and controling pest population. However, they also lead to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide(O2-•), and hydroxyl (•OH) radicals, which have harmful effect on human health. Each year about 15000 tons of fertilizer and 500 tons of pesticides contaminate the groundwater of Büyükkabaca where agriculture and fruit growing are commonly widespread. The drinking water of Büyükkabaca is obtained from 2 aquifers which are 150 m below surface of this plain. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical effects of Büyükkabaca’s drinking water on oxidant/antioxidant system in the blood, brain, liver and kidney of the rats. The level of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were increased and GSH level and catalase (CAT) activity (only in blood and brain) were decreased in the experimental group of rats. The present results suggest that free radicals like superoxide and peroxyl radicals formed as a result of excessive ethion level determined in Büyükkabaca’s drinking water can be responsible for the incresase in LPO and alteration in antioxidative defence mechanisms. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate the effect of the increased lipid peroxidation on human health in this region.