Impact of parathion exposure on some biochemical parameters in rabbit as a non target organism

Background: Pesticides are widely used in order to enhance the food protection by controlling the unwanted insects and disease vectors in agriculture. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of repeated sublethal doses (0.2 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for two weeks) of the insecticide parathion on some biochemical parameters in rabbit. Methods: The activity of some enzymes; cholinesterase (ChE), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), carboxylesterase (CE), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was determined in the brain, liver, kidney and heart. Results: Parathion administration markedly inhibited the activity of ChE. The activities of CE, GST, ALP, AST, and ALT in all organs of treated rabbits were increased. ATPase fluctuation was recorded in its activity, whereas ACP activity showed a significant reduction in the liver and kidney. Conclusion: The results indicated that changes in body and organ weights have been used as indicators of adverse effects of parathion and also alteration in tested enzymes activity can be used as relevant biomarkers for monitoring toxicity due to parathion exposure in non target organisms. (C) 2014 Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.