ArticleTheScientificWorldJournal2026
Reduced Pseudocholinesterase Levels Are Associated With Alterations in Lipid Biomarkers and Liver Enzymes Among Ghanaian Male Cocoa Farmers Using Organophosphate Pesticides.
Article in TheScientificWorldJournal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Abstract
backgroundAgrochemical usage is common with cocoa farmers in Ghana; however, the inappropriate use or lack of protective equipment leaves farmers exposed to these chemicals. Pesticides are generally taken up by farmers through inhalation, ingestion, or dermally and distributed through the circulatory system to affect various organs. Organophosphate inhibits cholinesterase (ChE), causing a buildup of acetylcholine and overstimulation of cholinergic synapses. Plasma pseudocholinesterase (pChE), synthesized in the liver, serves as a biomarker for organophosphate exposure.
aimWe assessed the levels of serum cholinesterase and liver and kidney function biomarkers among cocoa farmers exposed to organophosphates.
methodsA total of 220 male farmers with a consistent track record of using agropesticides for at least 1 year or more were selected. A structured questionnaire was used to gather sociodemographic information. Following an overnight fast, 5 mL of blood was collected from each participant aseptically for assessment of biochemical markers of the liver, kidney, lipids, and cholinesterase. Reduced plasma pseudocholinesterase was defined as levels < 5000 U/L and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration equation.
resultsThe prevalence of reduced pseudocholinesterase (pChE) among the study participants was 23%. The mean level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (38.11 ± 14.15 vs. 35.72 ± 16.61, p = 0.036) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (29.04 ± 18.85 vs. 23.69 ± 11.09, p = 0.017) were significantly elevated among subjects with low serum cholinesterase levels. Triglycerides (TG) (1.68 ± 0.86 vs. 1.30 ± 0.66, p = 0.004) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (0.64 ± 0.35 vs. 0.77 ± 0.40, p = 0.004) were significantly elevated among the participants with low pChE levels. However, mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (1.22 ± 0.44 vs. 1.37 ± 0.35, p = 0.017) was significantly reduced among participants with low pChE levels. Coffee consumption OR = 2.24 [1.04-4.83, p = 0.039], duration of agro pesticide usage greater than 10 years OR = 4.70 [1.72-13.5, p = 0.003], and poor knowledge of the harmful effect of pesticides OR = 4.96 [1.97-14.1, p = 0.001] were all significantly associated with low pChE levels among the study participants. pChE levels showed a significantly negative correlation with ALT (R = -0.2, p = 0.0027), TG (R = -0.34, p ≤ 0.001), and VLDL (R = -0.31, p ≤ 0.001). HDL showed a significant positive correlation (R = 0.14, p = 0.044).
conclusionThere is a high prevalence of reduced pChE among cocoa farmers in Ghana and this was associated with alteration in liver and lipid biomarkers. Additionally, coffee intake, longer work duration, and poor knowledge of agropesticide side effects were associated with low pChE levels among the study participants. These findings highlight the importance of targeted occupational health interventions, including improved training on pesticide safety and consistent and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
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