Changes in hepatic markers from environmental exposure to organochlorines in Brazil

Objectives: To estimate the magnitude of the association between exposure to organochlorine pesticide residues and alterations of liver markers.Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in a population exposed to organochlorines resident of Cidade dos Meninos, Duque de Caxias (RJ), Brazil (n=354). Rates were calculated from changes in hepatic markers (Alanine aminotransferase (AST), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidade (GGT) and albumin) and then, using binary logistic regression non-conditional, was estimated the association between the presence or absence of changes and exposure groups, created based on the exposure to food contaminated soil and water on site. Odds ratios unadjusted and adjusted for exposure groups and for confounding factors and their confidence interval (95%CI) were obtained.Results: After adjustment by logistic regression, the results of this study indicate no association between changes in liver enzyme abnormalities and exposure to organochlorines.Conclusion: Finding suggests that the metabolism involving the distribution and biotransformation of organochlorine compounds in the body involves no direct toxicity to the liver.