Dichlorvos induced alterations in glucose homeostasis: possible implications on the state of neuronal function in rats.

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of chronic dichlorvos exposure on various aspects of glucose homeostasis in different regions of rat brain. Dichlorvos administration caused a significant depletion in the brain glycogen content accompanied with an increase in the activity of glycogen phosphorylase. The activities of key glycolytic enzymes, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase were decreased significantly following dichlorvos exposure. The decreased glycolytic flux was further reflected in terms of decreased regional glucose utilization, determined by measuring 14C-glucose influx. The altered neuronal glucose homeostasis had a significant impact on the neurobehavioural patterns of dichlorvos treated animals which was reflected in terms of severe deterioration in their memory and learning functions.