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Introduction: Production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species is an integral part of aerobic metabolism. Disturbance of the balance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant system against them produces oxidative stress. Paraquat toxicity is induction of oxidative stress. However, the aim of our study was to evaluate oxidative stress in blood samples of workers in a pesticide factory formulating paraquat.
Materials and Methods: In this study we measured lipid peroxidation (LPO) with thiobarbituric assay (TBARS), total antioxident power (FRAP) and SH groups between workers in pesticide factories (case group) and health subjects (control group).
Results: Oxidative stress was significantly higher (p<0.001) in LPO, significantly lower (p<0.001) in TBARS and significantly lower (p<0.001) in SH groups in the case group compared to control group
Conclusion: It is concluded that chronic exposure of workers in their workplace to paraquat producess oxidative stress that could be prevented by well known nutritional antioxidant supplements.