Deltamethrin: In vivo effects on glucose catabolism in Locusta migratoria L

The in vivo effects of deltamethrin (a pyrethroīd insecticide) on pathways of glucose catabolism have been investigated in 20-day-old male adult Locusta migratoria. The relative contributions of the pentose cycle and the glycolytic-citric cycle were evaluated by a radiorespirometric method using d-[1- 14C]glucose and d-[6- 14C]glucose as substrates. The injection of nonlethal and LD 50 doses of ethanolic solutions of deltamethrin significantly modified the in vivo glucose degradation. A dose-dependent stimulation of the respiratory rate was observed. The C 6 C 1 ratio and the conversion of d-[6- 14C]glucose into 14CO 2 were increased in both cases. In contrast, the conversion of d-[1- 14D]glucose into 14CO 2 was reduced, especially at the LD 50 dose. Deltamethrin reduced the contribution of pentose cycle and diverted substrates toward the glycolytic pathway followed by the Krebs cycle.