Analysis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-1β levels with adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in farmers: early detection of vascular inflammation due to pesticide exposure

Pesticides have a severe impact on environmental pollution and human health, causing significant self-poisoning deaths in low- and middle-income countries. This study examines inflammation in farmers due to pesticide exposure by measuring MCP-1, IL-1β, and levels of ACTH. Using a cross-sectional design, 312 participants from conventional and organic farmer groups in Dau District, Malang Regency, were randomly selected. Results showed IL-1β levels were 633.29 ± 33.20 pg/mL in conventional farmers and 308.52 ± 65.18 pg/L in organic farmers (p < 0.001), MCP-1 levels were 506.58 ± 75.24 and 141.19 ± 39.19 pg/L, and ACTH levels were 456.64 ± 118.34 pg/L and 61.09 ± 15.98 pg/L, respectively (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that pesticide exposure induces vascular inflammation, evidenced by increased inflammatory markers in conventional farmers.