Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Characterization and Application of Passive Samplers for Monitoring of Pesticides in Water
Published on: August 3, 2016
Relationship between LINE-1 methylation pattern and pesticide exposure in urban sprayers
Alma Betsaida Benitez-Trinidad1, Irma Martha Medina-Díaz2, Yael Yvette Bernal-Hernández2
1Laboratorio de Contaminación y Toxicología Ambiental, Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, 63155, Ciudad de la Cultura s/n, Col. Centro, C.P. 63000, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológico Agropecuarias, Unidad Académica de Agricultura, Km. 9 Carretera Tepic-Compostela, Xalisco, Nayarit, Mexico.
Abstract:
Recently a relationship has been reported between pesticide exposure and changes in global DNA methylation patterns. Urban sprayers are a particularly vulnerable population because of the high risk of pesticide exposure that their work implies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the changes in the Long Interspersed Nucleotide Element (LINE-1) in urban sprayers and its relationship with pesticide exposure. The study population consisted of 190 individuals stratified into three study groups: no occupational pesticide exposure; moderate exposure, and high exposure. Pesticide exposure and other external factors such as diet, lifestyle, and others were evaluated through a validated questionnaire, and the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically and used as exposure biomarker. DNA methylation was evaluated by pyrosequencing on bisulfite-treated DNA. The results showed a significant decrease of %5mC in both the moderate- and high-exposure groups with respect to the non-exposed group (p < 0.05). In addition, alcohol intake was associated with a higher percentage of LINE- 1 methylation. In conclusion, our results suggest that occupational pesticide exposure and external factors appears to modify the DNA methylation pattern measured through LINE-1.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Exposure, Response and Effect
Relationship Formation
Ending Relationships
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Duration of Dose-Effect Relationship
Relationship Growth
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Intensity of Dose-Effect Relationship

