Arch Environ Health. 2002 May-Jun;57(3):181-7.
Immunological abnormalities in humans chronically exposed to chlorpyrifos.
Thrasher JD, Heuser G, Broughton A.
Sam-1 Trust, Alto, New Mexico 88312, USA. toxicology@drthrasher.org
Twenty-nine individuals with chronic health complaints following exposure to chlorpyrifos were compared with 3 control groups (i.e., 1 positive and 2 negative) with respect to the following: (1) peripheral lymphocyte phenotypes; (2) autoantibodies (nucleic acids and nucleoproteins, parietal cell, brush border, mitochondria, smooth muscle, thyroid gland, and central nervous system/peripheral nervous system myelin); (3) mitogenesis to phytohemagglutinin and concanavillin. The data revealed an increase in CD26 expression, a decrease in percentage of CD5 phenotype, decreased mitogenesis in response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavillin, and an increased frequency of autoantibodies. The alterations in these peripheral blood markers were unaffected by medications, age, sex, or season. The authors concluded that chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos causes immunological changes.
In conclusion, it is becoming increasingly apparent that certain individuals are more susceptible to the adverse effects of xenobiotics, experiencing chronic adverse health effects following exposure. Altered frequency and function of biomarkers, such as certain genes, enzymes, lymphocyte phenotypes, lymphokines, multiple autoantibodies as well as increased apoptosis appear to be associated with exposure to xenobiotics and subsequent chronic health problems. In addition, three potential mechanisms that may be responsible for these immune alterations are discussed.