Effect of aluminum phosphide on blood glucose level.

Aluminum phosphide (AlP), a poison extensively used as a grain fumigant and rodenticide, can cause an increase or decrease in blood glucose levels Both hypo- and hyper-glycemic effects of AlP can be attributed to the wide variety of changes in magnesium, calcium, phosphate, citrate and cortisol levels. These biochemical changes can act as active stimulatory or inhibitory modulators to enzymes and hormones that catalyze and regulate glucose metabolism. According to the type of biochemical changes, AlP can cause either elevation, decrease or no change in blood glucose levels. A case of AlP-caused death is reported.