Effects of Parathion Toxin on Glutamate Dehydrogenase Enzyme Activity and Diabetes Induction

Introduction: The main propose of this study was to determine the effect of parathion on activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) as a key enzyme in second phase secretion of insulin and to determine serum glucose levels in rats. Methods: To conduct the study, 35 rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=7). The serum glucose level of each group was measured and the total average was calculated with a glucometer. The experimental groups (groups 1,2,3,4) received 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg of parathion pesticide via IP injection; whereas, the control group received no treatment. All rats were kept in similar condition. Serum glucose levels of rats were measured 24h after the final injection. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity in rat’s pancreas was measured by GDH activity assay kit and using a spectrophotometer at 570nm. Results: The levels of glucose in treatment groups significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.01). The levels of GDH activity in rats increased after receiving  1.5 and 2 mg/kg of parathion pesticides compared with the control group (P<0.01, p<0.05). Conclusion: Regarding the results, parathion affects the GDH enzyme in the pancreatic islets and leads to insufficient secretion of insulin. Although insulin was increased and increased the intermediates of Krebs cycle, the rate of insulin secretion was not so high  to overcome the increase of glucose caused by parathion organophosphate