The association between organophosphate pesticide residue exposure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic disease that has had a significant prevalence in recent decades. Various factors contribute to the disease, with diet being one of the most important. In recent decades, several studies have reported a correlation between agricultural pesticide residues and NAFLD. This systematic review aimed to discuss scientific findings and analyze evidence of the association between organophosphate pesticide residues and NAFLD. To achieve this, relevant keywords were identified, and a search protocol was established in databases over the past decade to facilitate article retrieval. Finally, a total of 314 articles were identified through the search, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for this review. This review identified a diverse range of OPs and their metabolites concerning NAFLD. Glyphosate and its formulations (such as Roundup) were the most studied OPs. The key OPE metabolites most frequently studied were BDCIPP, BCIPHIPP, DPHP, and BCEP. In addition, pesticides such as triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), trichlorofon, tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) were also investigated. The primary method for assessing OPs exposure involved measuring urinary metabolites. We discuss the evidence for the correlation between exposure to OPs and NAFLD, as well as the factors that influence it.