The effect of propoxur on rats fed diets differing in protein content

Abstract

In 6-week-old Wistar rats fed for 30 and 93 days either 4.5 or 26% casein diets containing 0, 500, 1500, 4500, and 9000 ppm of propoxur several biological changes were found which were more pronounced when propoxur was added to low-protein diet for 93 days, particularly in concentrations of 4500 and 9000 ppm. The changes were as follows. (1) In the liver—decreased activity of aromatic amino acids aminotransferases (AAA) and β-glucuronidase (β-GR) as well as diminished protein content in supernatant; unchanged activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT), glucosephosphate isomerase (PHI) and fructosediphosphate aldolase (ALD). (2) In the serum—decreased activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as well as β-GR and increased PHI activity; unaltered activity of ALD and sorbitol dehydrogenase, (SDH). (3) In the brain—decreased activity of AChE, PHI, ALD, AAA, reduced protein content in supernatant; unchanged activity of AspAT and biogenic amines level. (4) Decreased rate of rat body weight gain on contaminated normoprotein diet and weight loss on contaminated low-protein diet. (5) Changes in the relative weight of certain internal organs; no detectable anatomical changes in the examined organs. The acute oral toxicity of propoxur was definitely enhanced by the previous feeding of low-protein diet: 1.7 times in males and 1.3 times in females after 30 days, and after 93 days 4.3 and 2.7 times, respectively.