# Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels and Serum Paraoxonase 1 Protein Levels in Obese Children: A Case–Control Study

## TL;DR

This study found lower PON1 enzyme levels and higher pesticide residues in obese children compared to healthy children, suggesting a possible link between pesticide exposure and obesity.

## Contribution

The study is the first to investigate the relationship between pesticide exposure, PON1 levels, and childhood obesity in a case-control setting.

## Key findings

- Obese children had significantly lower serum PON1 levels compared to the control group.
- Obese children had significantly higher levels of organophosphorus pesticides and PCBs in their blood.
- No significant difference in organochlorine pesticide levels was observed between the groups.

## Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is becoming an increasingly prevalent global health issue. Pesticides, which pose significant threats to human health and the environment are major risk factors for various diseases, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and food allergies. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an enzyme found on high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in serum, which hydrolyzes toxic oxon metabolites of organophosphate pesticides, certain carbamates, aromatic and aliphatic lactones, aromatic esters, and oxidized lipids through its calcium-dependent glycoprotein structure. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between environmental pesticide exposure, childhood obesity, and PON1 levels. Methods: The study included 58 obese children with a body mass index above the 95th percentile and 43 healthy children of the same age group. Serum PON1 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in the blood were determined through LC/MS/MS and GC analysis methods. Results: According to ELISA analysis, the PON1 level was significantly lower in the obesity group (102.8 ± 12.49 ng/mL) compared to the control group (134.8 ± 14.29 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). LC/MS/MS and GC analyses showed significantly higher levels of Σ4OPPs and Σ4PCBs in obese children compared to the control group (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of Σ4OCP levels (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the presence of OPPs and PCBs in the blood of obese children. Although these factors are associated with PON1, further research is needed to evaluate their potential role as risk indicators for obesity.