PESTICIDES WITH ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING FUNCTION – BIOMARKERS OF EXPOSURE

摘要

The enyzme complex P-450 cytocrom is responsible of pollutant biotransformation and neutralization in animal organism. Practically, these enzymes are present in most tissues, being peculiarly good represented in liver. They play a major role in the metabolic pathways of Ist phase reactions. P-450-dependent cytochrom enzymes catalyze oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis reactions, supposing introduction of some reactive groups with high polarity into the pollutant molecule: -OH; -SH; -COOH and –NH2. Pollutant biotransformation processes are differently carried on, function of the hidrosoluble or liposoluble nature of the xenobiotic. Liposoluble pollutants are metabolized in the endoplasmatic reticle, while hidrosoluble pollutants are metabolized in other cell organelles. Identification and quantification of enzymes specific activity from this overfamily indicates organism exposure to contaminants, being widely used as biomarkers of environment quality and agro-feeding products.