The Impact of Pesticides on Parkinson's Disease; A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex disorder that arises from genetic and environmental factors. The current investigation endeavors to investigate the role of exposure to organochlorines (OCPs) and organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), recognized as the main environmental elements, in the genesis of PD. Methods In this case-control study, 29 PD patients and 51 healthy subjects (controls) were involved. Gas chromatography (GC) was performed to measure the serum levels of organochlorine chemicals (2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT, 2,4-DDE, 4,4-DDE, α-HCH, β-HCH, and γ-HCH). Furthermore, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, arylesterase activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and several oxidative stress (OS) markers were assessed. Results The levels of OCPs in the PD patients were significantly higher than in the control subjects. In addition, AChE activity, arylesterase activity of PON-1, catalase (CAT) activity, and superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) activity in PD patients were significantly less than controls. Although the levels of carbonyl protein (CP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) in PD patients were higher than the controls. Conclusion The findings of this investigation have indicated that OCPs and OPPs exposure could contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. This potential linkage could either be established through the direct impact of these pesticides on the nervous system, leading to neurotoxicity, or via an indirect route through the triggering of OS.