Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the effects of an insecticide, ‘Raid’ contained in feed on the survival, growth and activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as the effects on glutathione content (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and utilization of basal energy in Wistar rats. The results indicate that mortality was observed at higher concentrations of the pesticide. Mean total body weight of rats fed 430 µg/g Raid was not significantly different from controls (p > 0.05). Significant effects of insecticide Raid on survival and growth were observed with concentration of 961 µg/g compared to control (p < 0.05) after 10 days. Alkaline phosphatase in serum and lipid peroxidation in the liver tissue significantly increased whereas glutathione contents, glutathione reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased in the liver tissue, while there was substantial residual glucose level, in both plasma and liver. Increases in ALP and LPO suggest that Raid induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in animals and effect on glucose utilization suggests liver functions may have been impaired in the insecticide-fed rats, resulting in abnormal uptake of glucose.

Key words: Raid^®, alkaline phosphatase, lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, glucose utilization.