Impact of Pesticide Exposure on Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase and Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase Levels in Farmers

Abstract

Farmers are at risk of pesticide exposure, which may adversely affect liver function. However, evidence regarding the relationship between pesticide exposure and serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) levels among farmers in Sendangrejo Village, Sleman Regency, remains limited. This study aimed to determine the relationship between pesticide exposure levels and serum SGOT and SGPT levels among farmers in Sendangrejo Village, Sleman Regency. This analytical observational study employed a cross-sectional design involving 30 farmers selected using purposive sampling. Pesticide exposure was assessed using a questionnaire based on work duration, spraying frequency, and compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) use. Serum SGOT and SGPT levels were measured using a clinical chemistry analyzer (Thermo Scientific Indiko) with the enzymatic kinetic method. Data were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation test. No significant correlations were found between work duration, spraying frequency, or PPE compliance and serum SGOT or SGPT levels (p>0.05), with correlation coefficients ranging from −0.271 to 0.071. Pesticide exposure assessed through work duration, spraying frequency, and PPE compliance was not significantly associated with serum SGOT or SGPT levels among farmers. These findings suggest that assessment of pesticide-related liver effects should not rely solely on indirect exposure indicators but should also incorporate biological exposure biomarkers and other individual risk factors.

Keywords: liver function; hepatotoxicity; pesticide exposure; farmers