David Jang receives NIEHS-funded R01 to study mitochondrial involvement in acute and chronic poisoning from organophosphates
R01 ES037322: Cell-free DNA Methylation Patterns and Mitochondrial Therapeutics in a Rodent Model of Organophosphate Poisoning
Narrative: The overarching goal of this proposal is to further delineate the mitochondrial involvement in acute and chronic poisoning from organophosphates (OP). We will investigate the mitochondrial contribution to neurological, cardiac and microcirculation sequela with a focus on novel biomarker development and therapy. An estimated 385 million cases of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning occur worldwide each year, resulting in around over 300,000 fatalities from OPs alone. Sources of OP exposure occur in farming communities, occupational settings and as agents of threats. The primary mechanism of action is increased cholinergic activation leading to excessive muscarinic symptoms such as respiratory distress and seizures. In addition, chronic OP exposure can lead to long-term neurologic and cardiac sequelae such as motor dysfunction and heart failure