Effect of dichlorvos on hepatic and pancreatic glucokinase activity and gene expression, and on insulin mRNA levels

Several studies have shown that organophosphate pesticides affect carbohydrate metabolism and produce hyperglycemia. It has been reported that exposure to the organophosphate pesticide dichlorvos affects glucose homeostasis and decreases liver glycogen content. Glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) is a tissue-specific enzyme expressed in liver and in pancreatic beta cells that plays a crucial role in glycogen synthesis and glucose homeostasis. In the present study we analyzed the effect of one or three days of dichlorvos administration [20 mg/kg body weight] on the activity and mRNA levels of hepatic and pancreatic glucokinase as well as on insulin mRNA abundance in the rat. We found that the pesticide affects pancreatic and hepatic glucokinase activity and expression differently. In the liver the pesticide decreased the enzyme activity; on the contrary glucokinase mRNA levels were increased. In contrast, pancreatic glucokinase activity as well as mRNA levels were not affected by the treatment. Insulin mRNA levels were not modified by dichlorvos administration. Our results suggest that the decreased activity of hepatic glucokinase may account for the adverse effects of dichlorvos on glucose metabolism.