The effect of O,S,S,-trimethyl phosphorodithioate on the in vivo metabolism of phenthoate in the rat

The in vivo metabolism of phenthoate (O,O-dimethyl S-[α-(carboethoxy)benzyl]phosphorodithioate) was followed in rats after oral administration of a nontoxic dose of 100 mg/kg. The same metabolic study was conducted following coadministration of 0.5% O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate (OSS-Me). When administered alone, phenthoate was metabolized principally by carboethoxy ester hydrolysis and cleavage of the PO and CS bonds, resulting in at least six metabolites. The primary urinary metabolite excreted was phenthoate acid. Coadministration of 0.5% OSS-Me did not alter the types of metabolites excreted. However, a reduction of the carboxylesterase-catalyzed product (phenthoate acid) was observed, indicating that the enzyme responsible for the major pathway of phenthoate detoxication was inhibited. Alternate detoxication processes did not compensate for the reduction in carboxylesterase-catalyzed detoxication. It was concluded that inhibition of the carboxylesterase enzymes is the major cause of the potentiation of phenthoate toxicity by OSS-Me.     

Delayed acute toxicity of O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate and O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate to the rat

The toxicity and LD₅₀ of O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate were reexamined in the rat. Animals treated orally (single dose) with this compound exhibited early cholinergic signs followed at approximately 5 hr by delayed toxic signs, with an LD₅₀ of 43 mg/kg. Contamination of O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate by as much as 5% (w/w) O,O,O-trimethyl phosphorothioate provided only limited antagonism to the dithioate's toxicity. In contrast, the addition of 5% O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate to O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate gave protection against the toxic effects of the latter compound up to 80 mg/kg of toxicant. Pretreatment of rats with as little as 5% O,O,O-trimethyl phosphorothioate, 24 hr prior to treatment with 200 mg/kg O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate, gave complete protection against the toxic effects of this compound. Conversely, administration of 10% (w/w) O,O,O-trimethyl phosphorothioate 4 or 24 hr after treatment with 60 or 80 mg/kg of O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate provided only partial protection at 4 hr and no protection from the effects of the toxicant at 24 hr. The ability of O,O,O-trimethyl phosphorothioate to antagonize the toxicity of this compound depended markedly on the route of administration (oral, intravenous, or intraperitoneal). At 4 hr past treatment with toxicant, only oral administration of the antagonist provided full protection. Intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of antagonist 4 hr after treatment with toxicant were partially effective and completely ineffective, respectively, in halting the toxic effects of this compound.     

Mode of action of the delayed toxicity of O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate in the rat

As preliminary probes to determine the mode of delayed toxic action of O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate (I) in the rat, the effect of I on rat tissue and organs, and on blood, urine, and pharmacokinetic parameters was investigated. Following oral administration, 30 to 200 mg/kg I caused liver necrosis as a major pathological effect. Morphological changes were also observed in the heart, adrenal, tissues of the small intestine, and kidney. Most animals treated with I developed bronchopneumonia after 3 days. Blood samples taken from rats poisoned with 60 mg/kg I showed severe hemoconcentration; however, serum Na⁺, Cl^?, albumin, and total carbonate/bicarbonate varied only slightly. Na⁺ and Cl^? concentrations in the urine showed a steady decline with time following poisoning but K⁺ levels remained relatively constant. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that ¹⁴C levels in the blood following intraperitoneal or intravenous administration of 60 mg/kg [CH₃O¹⁴C]I were not affected when the animals were cotreated with 5% of the antagonist O,O,O-trimethyl phosphorothioate. However, lower levels of ¹⁴C were found in antagonized animals following oral administration.     

Biochemical and physiological investigations into the delayed toxicity produced by O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate in rats

Oral administration of O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate (OOS), an impurity in several technical organophosphorus insecticides, causes delayed toxicity in rats with death occurring up to 28 days after the treatment. The oral LD₅₀ was determined to be 60 mg/kg. The effect of a single nonlethal dose of OOS (20 mg/kg) on in vivo protein synthesis in different organs was determined by measurement of the incorporation of [¹⁴C]leucine at 6 hr to 28 days after treatment. As early as 6 hr after OOS treatment the incorporation of [¹⁴C]leucine into the liver, lung, thymus, kidney, and spleen was elevated and remained elevated for up to 7 days. With the exception of the lung, organ weights were significantly decreased during the same time period. On Day 28 after treatment, the amount of [¹⁴C]leucine incorporation had decreased to the control level in all of the organs studied. Treatment with OOS at 20 mg/kg caused a significant increase in hematocrit on Days 3,5, and 7, and as early as 6 hr after treatment at 60 mg/kg. The clinical biochemistry of plasma indicated that there was no significant change from control values in the glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxalic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, or alkaline phosphatase activities with the 20 mg/kg dose. The analysis of the intermediary metabolites indicated that the redox state of cytosol was more reduced on Day 5, whereas that of mitochondria was not affected by OOS. Data obtained at selected times after oral administration of a 60 mg/kg dose of OOS and that obtained from animals starved for 3 days are also discussed.     

In vitro effects of malathion and O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate on cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses

Oral administration of O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate (OOS), an impurity present in technical formulations of malathion, has been shown to be associated with a high incidence of pneumonia in rats and to be highly immunosuppressive in mice. Based on these findings, an in vitro model was established to study the effect of this and other organophosphorus compounds on murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses. The organophosphorus compounds were tested for their ability to block in vitro generation of CTL responses to alloantigen and/or the expression of these cytotoxic responses. Responses were generated in C57Bl/6 (H-2^b) spleen cells to mitomycin C-blocked P815 (H-2^d) tumor cells. The cytotoxicity of the cultured splenocytes to P815 target was measured using a 4-hr chromium release assay. These data demonstrated that malathion was able to block the ability of splenocytes to sensitize to P815 at concentrations as low as 25 μg/ml, but was not able to block the expression of cytotoxicity by mature killer T cells. The same was true for OOS which had been activated by preincubation with rat liver postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS). Activated OOS blocked the generation of CTL responses at concentrations as low as 75 μg/ml while having no effect on mature cytotoxic cells. In fact, both malathion and activated OOS were no longer able to suppress CTL responses if treatment was performed as early as 24 hr after exposure to antigen. Additionally, it was demonstrated that when malathion was preincubated with PMS it was no longer suppressive and that OOS without activation failed to suppress CTL responses.     

Effects of an impurity on malathion and its structural analog on rat liver carboxylesterases and erythrocyte esterases

The inhibitory effects on liver microsomal carboxylesterases and erythrocyte membrane esterases produced by an impurity of malathion was investigated. Treatment of rats with an impurity of malathion, O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate (OOS-Me), and its structural analog O,O-dimethyl S-ethyl phosphorothioate (OOS-Et) inhibited liver microsomal malathion and phenthoate carboxylesterases. The inhibition lasted for at least 7 days following a single oral administration of OOS-Me. These treatments inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and (Na⁺ + K⁺)-dependent ATPase of erythrocyte membranes which persisted at least 3 days. OOS-Et was a more potent inhibitor of all the esterases examined than OOS-Me. Pretreatment of rats with a metabolic inducer, phenobarbital, or a metabolic inhibitor, piperonyl butoxide, had no effect on such inhibitory effects on liver microsomal carboxylesterases produced by OOS-Me or OOS-Et.     

Isomerization and Beckmann rearrangement reactions in the metabolism of methomyl in rats

Methomyl {S-methyl-N-[(methylcarbamoyl)oxy]thioacetimidate}, also known as Lannate, may exist in two geometric configurations but the more stable syn isomer is the form applied as an insecticide. In the rat, syn[¹⁴CN]methomyl [CH₃S(CH₃)CNOC(O)NHCH₃] was metabolized to respiratory ¹⁴CO₂ and $\text{CH}{}_3{}^{14}\text{CN}$ in a ratio of about 2 to 1. Studies with the anti isomer showed that it was metabolized predominately to $\text{CH}{}_3{}^{14}\text{CN}$. These and other data are presented supporting the contention that syn methomyl is partially isomerized to the anti isomer in the animal prior to the hydrolysis of the ester linkage. After hydrolysis, the syn oxime [CH₃S(CH₃)¹⁴CNOH] is further metabolized to ¹⁴CO₂ while the anti oxime is metabolized to $\text{CH}{}_3{}^{14}\text{CN}$. Proposed immediate precursors to the carbon dioxide and acetonitrile, formed by Beckmann rearrangement of the syn and anti oximes, are CH₃S¹⁴C(O)NHCH₃ and $\text{[}\text{CH}{}_3{}^{\mathrm{14\oplus }}\text{CNSCH}{}_3\text{]x}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, respectively.     

O,O,S-Trimethyl phosphorothioate effects on immunocompetence

O,O,S-Trimethyl phosphorothioate (OOS), a contaminant of technical formulations of some organophosphorus pesticides, was found to be immunotoxic at subtoxic doses in female C57Bl/6 mice. Mice treated orally with acute doses of 10 mg/kg OOS show no overt toxic signs such as weight loss or malaise. In addition, the levels of serum cholinesterase was not decreased. Histopathologic investigation demonstrated no alterations in liver, lung, kidney, heart, skin, brain, spleen, or gut. The LD₅₀ for delayed toxicity was approximately 35 mg/kg. Despite the lack of general toxic changes at doses of 5–10 mg/kg OOS, specific immunotoxic changes were found. The humoral or cell-mediated immune response of splenocytes from mice treated with 10 mg/kg OOS to in vivo immunization was diminished with respect to control animals. Responses were measured in ex vivo assays. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses were assessed by alloimmunization with the tumor P815 followed by a ⁵¹Cr release assay done ex vivo with splenic lymphocytes. Humoral responses were assessed by immunization with sheep red blood cells followed by a Jerne plaque assay to determine anti-sheep red blood cell antibody. Both cellular and humoral responses could be stimulated in vitro using cells from OOS-pretreated, primed animals, thus indicating that no permanent cellular elterations had occurred.     

Studies on organophosphorus impurities in technical malathion: Inhibition of carboxylesterases and the stability of isomalathion

Four organophosphorus esters found as impurities in technical malathion were synthesized, and their abilities to inhibit monomeric and oligomeric carboxylesterases from rabbit liver, as well as type I and type II esterases from porcine liver, were studied. The equilibrium dissociation constant (K_d), phosphorylation constant (k₂), and bimolecular rate constant (k_i) were determined in the presence of substrate. Inhibition, as judged by the k_i, was in the following order: isomalathion > O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate > O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate > O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate. All of the k₂ values were relatively small, indicating that the k_d values contribute most to the overall inhibitory power. Rabbit liver carboxylesterases are more sensitive to inhibition by isomalathion than porcine liver esterases, reflecting a species difference. Isomalathion undergoes nonenzymatic degradation in the presence of fluoride ions, producing diethyl thiomalate. A kinetic investigation of the nonenzymatic degradation of isomalathion was conducted, and reaction rate constants were determined in phosphate buffer at various molarities, temperatures, and pH values.     

Metabolism of the 1,2,4-triazolylmethane fungicides,triadimefon, triadimenol,and diclobutrazol,by Aspergillus niger (van Tiegh.)

Metabolism of the triazolylmethane fungicides triadimefon, triadimenol, and diclobutrazol by Aspergillus niger was studied using a replacement culture technique and ¹⁴C substrates. Components of metabolite mixtures were characterized by TLC, GLC, radio-GC, and GC-MS analyses of the free materials and their trifluoroacetate and trimethylsilyl ether derivatives. The three compounds underwent a common metabolic change involving oxidation of C(CH₃)₃ to C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH. In this work the isopropyl analog of triadimefon, previously reported as a metabolite, was an artifact and resulted from nonbiological oxidation of the corresponding primary alcohol. The fungus also reduced triadimefon to triadimenol, giving a mixture of 1R2S, 1S2R and 1R2R, 1S2S diastereoisomers. The less fungitoxic 1R2S, 1S2R triadimenol predominated, so that this conversion may be directly associated with the relative insensitivity of A. niger to triadimefon. Implications of oxidative and reductive metabolism of these fungicides are suggested with particular reference to the differing fungitoxicities of diastereoisomers and enantiomers.     

The effect of impurities on the toxicokinetics of malathion in rats

The effect of the malathion impurities, isomalathion of O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate (OSS-Me), on the toxicokinetic behavior of [methoxy-¹⁴C]malathion in female rats was investigated. Malathion α- and β-monoacids and the diacid were the predominant metabolites in the blood of rats pretreated orally with corn oil followed 4 hr later with radiolabeled malathion. Pretreatment of rats with isomalathion or OSS-Me in corn oil followed by treatment with malathion resulted in a decrease of total radioactive metabolites in the blood. Moreover, a substantial reduction in the level of malathion β-monoacid and malathion diacid was observed in the blood of impurity pretreated animals. These results indicate that the impurities have a stronger effect in inhibiting carboxylesterases which preferentially hydrolyze the β-carboethoxy moiety of malathion. The major malathion metabolites excreted in the urine of pretreated and control rats generally matched those present in the blood. The potentiation of the acute toxicity of malathion by pretreatment with isomalathion or OSS-Me may be explained by the reduction in the rat's capacity to degrade malathion via carboxylesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of the β-carboethoxy moiety.     

Biotransformation of dimethoate by cell culture systems

Dimethoate [O,O-dimethyl S-(N-methylcarbamoylmethyl) phosphorodithioate] was oxidatively metabolized by primary human embryonic lung cells in culture. Over 95% of the recovered radioactivity after incubation with ¹⁴C-labeled dimethoate resulted from oxidative metabolites, with the remainder being water soluble. Thus, oxidative metabolism of dimethoate predominated over hydrolytic metabolism in the cell culture system, in contrast to the whole rat where the opposite is true. The sequence of reactions was similar to that found in rats. Dimethoate was desulfurated to yield dimethoxon and both compounds were N-demethylated. Metabolism of dimethoate in mouse fibroblast L-929 cell cultures revealed up to 35% of dimethoate carboxylic acid as the only compound other than dimethoate present.     

Studies on residues and the metabolic pathway of methidathion in tomato fruit

The residues and metabolism of methidathion [S-(2, 3-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1, 3, 4-thiadiazol-3-ylmethyl) O, O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate] and its secondary metabolites: demethyl-methidathion [S-(2, 3-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1, 3, 4-thiadiazol-3-ylmethyl) O-methyl O-hydrogen phosphorodithioate] ( IV ), the sulphide (2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-3-methylthiomethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one) ( I ), tsulphoxide(2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-3- methylsulphinylmethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one) ( II ) and the sulphone (2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-3-methylsulphonylmethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one ( III ) were studied in laboratory-treated tomato fruit. The metabolites and residues of methidathion were determined for the applied doses of 1, 7 and 14 mg of methidathion kg^?1 of fruit. Methidathion was metabolised extensively over a 14-day period. The amount of metabolites formed was a function of both the applied dose as well as the time after application. Major water-soluble metabolites were found to be IV and the cysteine conjugate S-(2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,3,4-thiadiazol-3-ylmethyl)-L-cysteine ( VI ). The chloroform-soluble metabolites were identified as the oxygen analogue of methidathion [S-(2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,3,4-thiadiazol-3-ylmethyl) O, O-dimethyl phosphorothioate] ( V ), the sulphoxide II , and the hydroxy compound 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one. The oxygen analogue of methidathion ( V ) was found in small amounts, corresponding to <5% of the added methidathion. Demethyl-methidathion ( IV ) appeared to be a precursor in the formation of the cysteine conjugate VI . The sulphide I seemed to be more reactive in forming the cysteine conjugate than the sulphoxide II or the sulphone III .     

Studies on the metabolism of vamidothion and its thioanalog in insecticide-resistant and susceptible house fly strains

The in vivo and in vitro metabolism of vamidothion [O,O-dimethyl S-[2-(1-methylcarbamoyl)-ethylthio] ethylphosphorothiolate] as well as the in vitro metabolism of thiovamidothion [O,O-dimethyl S-[2-(1-methylcarbamoyl)ethylthio] ethylphosphorodithioate] was investigated in insecticide-resistant and susceptible house fly strains. Vamidothion was converted in vivo to the sulfoxide, the principle metabolite, and subsequently to the sulfone at a slower rate. Vamidothion and vamidothion sulfoxide were hydrolyzed at the PS and SC bond. The resulting primary alcohol metabolite was further oxidized to a carboxylic acid followed by decarboxylation. No metabolism of vamidothion or thiovamidothion occurred in vitro without the addition of NADPH. The addition of NADPH resulted in rapid conversion of vamidothion to the sulfoxide, and thiovamidothion was oxidatively metabolized to six metabolic products. No qualitative differences were found between resistant and susceptible strains, but there were signficant quantitative differences. The metabolism was highest in the Rutgers strain followed by Cornell-R, Hirokawa, and then CSMA strain. The route of vamidothion and thiovamidothion metabolism was via the cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system, and none of the resistant strains showed glutathione S-transferase activity toward vamidothion or thiovamidothion. No further oxidation of vamidothion sulfoxide to the sulfone was observed and also no hydrolysis products were formed, in vitro.     

Effect of liver enzyme induction on paraoxon metabolism in the rat

Orally administered [1-¹⁴C]ethyl paraoxon, O,O-diethyl-O-p-nitrophenyl phosphate, is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of male albino rats. Radioactivity is essentially eliminated in 72 hr by excretion into urine and feces and by expiration as ¹⁴CO₂. Compounds with radioactivity in the urine are tentatively identified as diethyl phosphoric acid, desethyl paraoxon, ethanol, metabolites conjugated with amino acids, and paraoxon; the first compound is the predominant radioactive metabolite. Intraperitoneally injected phenobarbital, DDT, dieldrin, and endrin are inducers of microsomal enzymes that degrade paraoxon. The aryl phosphate-cleaving activity in vitro is not dependent on the addition of NADPH. O-Dealkylation of paraoxon is catalyzed by microsomal enzymes that require NADPH and oxygen and are inhibited by carbon monoxide. Microsomal enzymes from rats pretreated with enzyme inducers give an increased rate of O-dealkylation of paraoxon. Reduced glutathione has little or no effect on paraoxon degradation by either microsomal or soluble enzymes. Actinomycin D inhibits O-dealkylation of paraoxon in vivo, as indicated by reduction of ¹⁴CO₂ formation, and in vitro, as indicated by decreased activity of microsomal O-dealkylase. The role of microsomal mixed-function oxidases and NADPH-dependent O-dealkylase in the metabolism of organophosphorus insecticides is discussed.     

The adsorption and degradation of glyphosate in five Hawaiian sugarcane soils*

The rate of aerobic evolution of ¹⁴CO₂ from ¹⁴C-glyphosate labelled in the methylphosphonyl carbon, varied 100-fold within a group of five Hawaiian sugarcane soils. The rate depended inversely on the degree of soil binding, probably associated with the phosphonic acid moiety, and to a less certain extent on soil pH and soil organic matter. After an initial rapid degradation, the rate of ¹⁴CO₂ evolution in three soils reached a constant at 16–21 days which continued to the 60-day termination. The other two soils showed a continually decreasing rate throughout. Two soils released over 50% of the labelled carbon in 60 days, a third released 35%, while the remaining soils released 1.2 and 0.8% respectively. Labelled carbon in the soils after 60 days consisted of glyphosate and one metabolite, aminomethyl-phosphonic acid, with glyphosate predominating in high fixing soils. The ¹⁴C could be extracted almost completely with NaOH solution, and remained mainly in solution after acidification.     

Distribution and excretion of [14CH3S]methamidophos after intravenous administration of a toxic dose and the relationship with anticholinesterase activity

The tissue distribution and excretion of [¹⁴CH₃S]methamidophos was followed in female Sprague-Dawley rats after intravenous injection at a toxic, but nonlethal, dose (8 mg/kg). Radiolabel was rapidly distributed to all tissues at approximately equal concentrations. Peak tissue levels were achieved within 1–10 min except in the central and peripheral nervous system where peak levels (40 nmol/g) were found between 20 and 60 min, corresponding to peak signs of toxicity. Within 24 hr of dosing, 47% of the radioactivity was recovered in the urine and 34% as ¹⁴CO₂ with <5% in the feces over 7 days. Cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition was measured in erythrocytes, plasma, and various regions of the central nervous system (CNS) at selected times after administration of methamidophos at 8 mg/kg. The degree of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition in the three CNS regions was similar, reaching a minimum of 15–20% of control values at 30–60 min, when toxicity was most severe. The degree of erythrocyte AChE inhibition was less than that of the CNS although the time course was similar. Plasma ChE inhibition was more rapid than that of the CNS or erythrocytes and reactivation was slower. When similar concentrations of methamidophos to those found in vivo were incubated with CNS homogenates, plasma, or erythrocytes in vitro (5 × 10^?5M) a similar degree of inhibition occurred over the same time course. It is, therefore, concluded that the cholinergic toxicity produced by methamidophos is a result of the in vivo stability of this compound combined with its entry into the nervous system in sufficiently high concentrations to inhibit AChE.     

Mechanisms of resistance to diflubenzuron in the house fly, Musca domestica (L.)

The mechanisms of resistance to the chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron were investigated in a diflubenzuron-selected strain of the house fly (Musca domestica L.) with > 1000 × resistance, and in an OMS-12-selected strain [O-ethyl O-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)phosphoramidothioate] with 380 × resistance to diflubenzuron. In agreement with the accepted mode of action of diflubenzuron, chitin synthesis was reduced less in larvae of the resistant (R) than of a susceptible (S) strain. Cuticular penetration of diflubenzuron into larvae of the R strains was about half that of the S. Both piperonyl butoxide and sesamex synergized diflubenzuron markedly in the R strains, indicating that mixed-function oxidase enzymes play a major role in resistance. Limited synergism by DEF (S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate) and diethylmaleate indicated that esterases and glutathione-dependent transferases play a relatively small role in resistance. Larvae of the S and R strains exhibited a similar pattern of in vivo cleavage of ³H- and ¹⁴C-labeled diflubenzuron at N₁C₂ and N₁C₁ bonds. However, there were marked differences in the amounts of major metabolites produced: R larvae metabolized diflubenzuron at considerably higher rates, resulting in 18-fold lower accumulation of unmetabolized diflubenzuron by comparison with S larvae. Polar metabolites were excreted at a 2-fold higher rate by R larvae. The high levels of resistance to diflubenzuron in R-Diflubenzuron and R-OMS-12 larvae are due to the combined effect of reduced cuticular penetration, increased metabolism, and rapid excretion of the chemical.     

Brain acetylcholinesterase inhibition in fish as a diagnosis of environmental poisoning by malathion,O,O-dimethyl S-(1,2-dicarbethoxyethyl) phosphorodithioate

Brain acetylcholinestrase (EC 3.1.1.7) activities were compared in groups of an estuarine fish Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) exposed in seawater to sublethal and lethal concentrations of malathion (O,O-dimethyl S-(1,2-dicarbethoxyethyl) phosphorodithioate) to determine enzyme inhibition values for diagnosis of poisoning. Lethal exposures caused greater enzyme inhibition than sublethal exposures through 72 h. Consistent levels of enzyme inhibition (72–79% inhibition) occurred when 40–60% of replicate exposed groups were killed at 3.5, 24, 48 and 72 h at mean concentrations of 575, 142, 92 and 58 μg/liter, respectively. A mean concentration of 31 μg/liter was sublethal through 72 h exposure and caused a maximum enzyme inhibition of only 34%. The correlation of brain acetylcholinesterase inhibition with exposure and deaths is of value in diagnosing poisoning in fish populations and has been applied to actual environmental situations. Enzyme inhibition in fishes is positively correlated with spraying of an estuary with malathion.     

The toxicological significance of paraoxon deethylation

The in vivo formation of deethylation and hydrolytic products of paraoxon degradation after parathion or paraoxon administration was nearly equal in control male rats, and the relative abundance of metabolites was not appreciably altered by pretreatment of rats with enzymeinducing agents. However, pretreatment with inducers dramatically increased the oxidative paraoxon O-deethylase of male rat liver while having little effect on hydrolytic enzymes. Prior to induction, the hepatic O-deethylase activity was greatly inferior to the various hydrolytic enzymes, but nearly equal levels of both enzyme systems were found after induction. These results indicate that a large portion of the hepatic hydrolases detected in vitro is not active in vivo. It also appears that the majority of the induced hepatic deethylase was not involved in vivo at the dosage levels employed. The in vivo metabolism of monoethyl paraoxon was also demonstrated. The predominant metabolite of ethyl-[1-¹⁴C]monoethyl paraoxon is ¹⁴CO₂, while phenyl-[1-¹⁴C]monoethyl paraoxon yielded 4-nitro[1-¹⁴C]phenol. Paraoxon deethylation was also shown to be an important detoxication mechanism in female rats and male mice and must be considered in interpreting the toxicological properties of parathion and paraoxon.