Biochemical evaluation of the liver function in workers employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos

In order to assess the liver damage caused by chlorfenvinphos, all the workers employed at the production of this compound were examined twice, 9 years apart. Serum concentration of bilirubin, protein components and the activity of some selected enzymes--red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE), serum alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptydase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malic dehydrogenase (MDH) were determined in 41 males on the first examination. On the second examination serum bilirubin concentration and the activity of AChE, ChE, AP and ALT were determined in 35 males. As compared to the results obtained in control groups the first study showed that a lower concentration of serum proteins was accompanied by decreased globulin alpha 1 and beta percentage along with an increased globulin gamma percentage; bilirubin concentration and the activity of ALT, AST, and MDH were higher, whereas the activity of AP, GGT and AChE was lower. The results of the second study were similar--lowered activity of ChE and AP, and increased ALT activity. The results of the investigation provide support for a very slight impairment of the liver parenchyma.