MODIFICATION OF PARATHION'S TOXICITY FOR RATS BY PRETREATMENT WITH CHLORINATED HYDROCARBON INSECTICIDES

Abstract

Oral pretreatment of rats with chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides greatly increases their resistance to poisoning by organic phosphate insecticides. Previous work in this laboratory demonstrated that the pretreatment is followed by a rise in the serum aliesterase level. Aldridge has shown that A-aliesterase is capable of hydrolyzing paraoxon (an organic phosphate). It is suggested that an increase in the level of this organophosphate hydrolyzing enzyme plays a part in the protection observed.