DDT-Induced Stimulation of Key Gluconeogenic Enzymes In Rat Kidney Cortex

Abstract

Administration of technical DDT or o,p′-DDT produced marked increases in pyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, and glueose-6-phospfaatase activities in rat kidney cortex. Significant increases in these key gluconeogenic enzymes occurred at 2–3 days and maximal stimulation was seen 5–7 days after the beginning of o,p′-DDT treatment. This DDT isomer, when given to adrenalectomized rats, produced increases in renal enzymes similar to those observed in intact animals. Furthermore, since administration of triamcinolone to o,p′-DDT-treated rats failed to potentiate the action of this insecticide on various enzymes, evidence indicates that the stimulation of kidney cortex gluconeogenesis by DDT is not mediated through a release of glucocorticoid hormones from the adrenal cortex.