EFFECT OF PESTICIDE ADMINISTRATION UPON ESTERASE ACTIVITIES IN SERUM AND TISSUES OF RATS FEDVARIABLE CASEIN DIETS

Rats were fed diets containing varying casein levels for 30- and 60-day periods. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum and AChE and aliesterase (AliE) activities in liver microsomes were higher at the 15%-casein level and above than at lower levels. Brain microsomal AChE and AliE and serum AliE activities were approximately the same at all casein levels. Single doses of Banol and of parathion inhibited liver and brain AChE to a greater extent at the 0%-casein level than at the higher levels; Banol had the same effect on serum AChE. Parathion-induced inhibition of serum and of liver microsomal AliE was not markedly altered by variations in the casein levels. Inhibition of brain and serum AliE by Banol was negligible at all casein levels except for a 53% inhibition of brain AliE at the 0%-casein level. Liver AliE activity was inhibited by Banol to the same degree at all casein levels. Chlordane increased serum AliE less and increased liver AliE more below the 15%-casein level than at higher levels, but did not markedly affect brain AChE and AliE at any level. At all casein levels, administration of chlordane resulted in an average reduction of 35% in liver AChE activity. Changes in the variables studied were similar at the 30- and 60-day periods. Rats on the protein-free diet were more susceptible to pesticide poisoning. © 1969.