Glutathione S-transferase activity in rats exposed to methyl parathion

Abstract

Methyl parathion is an organophosphate insecticide that has been used in agriculture and the domestic sector for several years. This pesticide and others, arriving through different processes, exert significant effects on water quality with serious consequences for environmental and human health. The main objective of this study was to investigate the changes of Glutathione S-transferase enzyme activity in methyl parathion exposed rat tissues. For this purpose, wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were injected intraperitoneally with 7 mg kg(-1) dose of methyl parathion, while corn oil was applied to control groups in the same way. The liver, kidneys, brain and small intestine were quickly removed after 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 72 hours of injection of methyl parathion and the glutathione S-transferase activity was determined in these tissues. As a result it was seen that glutathione S-transferase activity increases in all tissues in the group of male and female rats to which methyl parathion was given. The increase of glutathione S-transferase activity may be a result of methyl parathion's toxic effect because it is one of the most important enzymes of detoxification metabolism.