Niveles de colinesterasa sérica en agricultores de San Pablo de Borbur, Boyacá, expuestos a organofosforados

Introduction: Cholinesterases are enzymes responsible for hydrolyzing acetylcholine in acetic acid and choline, which ends nerve transmission along the synapse of neuromuscular junctions. Measurement of serum cholinesterase activity acts as an indicator of the effect caused by prolonged exposure to organophosphates and carbamates Objective: To determine serum cholinesterase levels and factors related to exposure to organophosphates in farmers from the county of Páramo Lagunas in San Pablo de Borbur, Boyacá, Colombia. Methodology: Prospective, cross-sectional study, with a sample of 57 agricultural workers, a survey of sociodemographic data and labor factors was applied to each individual and a venous blood sample was taken in an 8-12 hour fasting, Serum cholinesterase concentrations were determined (Biosystems® Butyrylthiocholine Cholinesterase kit), by means of the Biosystems® A-15 automated clinical chemistry kit. Results: The age range of the participants was between 22 and 64 years old, 72% of the individuals belonged to the male sex. 3.5% (2 male individuals) presented values lower than the biological reference interval (BRI); 88% of the people affirmed to carry out tasks with pesticides and 54% of them affirmed not to use personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with these substances. Conclusions: The lack of schooling was evidenced in most of the farmers, as well as the absence of technical support to this area, which induces these farmers to carry out agricultural processes such as pesticide application, without adequate knowledge and without the proper use of PPE. Introducción: las colinesterasas son enzimas que se encargan de hidrolizar la acetilcolina en ácido acético y colina, poniéndole fin a la transmisión nerviosa a lo largo de la sinapsis de las uniones neuromusculares. La medición de la actividad de la colinesterasa sérica constituye un indicador del efecto causado por la exposición prolongada a los organofosforados. Objetivo: determinar los niveles de colinesterasa sérica y factores relacionados con la exposición a organofosforados en agricultores de la vereda de Páramo Lagunas de San Pablo de Borbur, Boyacá, Colombia. Metodología: estudio prospectivo, de corte transversal, con una muestra de 57 trabajadores. A cada individuo se le aplicó una encuesta de datos sociodemográficos y factores laborales, posteriormente se les tomó una muestra de sangre venosa en ayuno de 8-12 horas; con el fin de determinar las concentraciones de colin