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Measuring cholinesterase activity in human saliva
Birgit Claus Henn1, Suzanne McMaster, Stephanie Padilla
1U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Neurotoxicology Division and Human Studies Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A
|August 15, 2006
Summary
Saliva shows potential for pesticide biomonitoring by measuring cholinesterase activity. While enzyme levels varied individually, saliva collection methods were effective, suggesting its use for assessing pesticide exposure risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Biomonitoring
Background:
- Pesticide exposure, particularly to organophosphorus and carbamate compounds, poses neurotoxic risks.
- Biomonitoring of pesticide exposure often relies on blood or urine, but saliva offers a non-invasive alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the consistency and feasibility of using human saliva for cholinesterase activity measurement in pesticide biomonitoring.
- To compare two saliva collection methods for their efficacy and participant preference.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 20 healthy adults collected saliva weekly for 5 weeks using pipettes and cotton-wool rolls.
- Cholinesterase activity was measured using a modified radiometric assay.
- Questionnaires documented participant exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Cholinesterase activity was measurable in saliva with reliable repeatability.
- Mean coefficients of variation (CVs) for enzyme activity were approximately 35% for both collection methods.
- Participants showed a strong preference (86%) for the cotton-wool roll collection method.
Conclusions:
- Saliva is a potentially useful biofluid for monitoring exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides.
- Individual variability in salivary cholinesterase activity requires further investigation.
- The cotton-wool roll method is a preferred and effective technique for saliva collection in biomonitoring studies.