Guadalupe Ramon Ventura, professor in biochemical sciences at the Autonomous University of Nayarit (UAN), evaluates the effects of pesticides in cellular communication in the immune system, particularly the expression of extraneuronal cholinergic receptors and immunity mechanisms.
The research studies how a pesticide called diazinon, the most widely used in agricultural areas, modifies the expression of certain receptors on the surface of lymphocytes, because the action of organophosphorus pesticides acts in the neuronal cholinergic system, and also affects directly the immune system cells.
“So far we have analyzed the M2 muscarinic receptor, which expression apparently does not show any significant changes in lymphocyte cell of the Nile tilapia model. But we have not finished yet, we are analyzing other muscarinic M3 and M4, as well as other muscarinic receptors, such as M3 and M4, as well as other nicotinic group,” Guadalupe Ramon Ventura said to the News Agency of CONACYT.
Ramon Ventura explained that pesticides alter the nervous system of organisms, inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. This leads to an increase in the acetylcholine neurotransmitter, causing uncontrolled nerve impulses, which can lead to the death of organism, including humans.
“What we analyzed is the relative expression from RNA (ribonucleic acid), specific messengers for different receptors in the study. These are we going to indicate how much the receptors are expressed within a normal system and when that system is exposed to toxic substances such as organophosphate pesticides. Then we can see the effect that causes this condition, and all this by applying the technique of RT-PCR in real time,” she said.
According to the researcher, the results regarding alterations in the immune system will allow warning about the use of pesticides, and their possible harmful effects for people and animals.
She said that they used the Nile tilapia model, as it is an important food source and keeps similarity with the human immune system. Furthermore, there is an uncontrolled use of pesticides that affect its habitat, which can affect humans that consume these fishes.
Source: Agencia Informativa CONACYT
