Toxicological effects of an organophosphorus pesticide (dimethoate) on urinary collagen metabolites in normal and high protein diets fed female albino rats.

The effect of an organophosphorus pesticide (dimethoate) on the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (total, nondialysable, dialysable and free fractions) and hydroxylysylglycosides, glucosylgalactosyl hydroxylysine and galactosehydroxylysine was investigated in two groups of female albino rats fed with normal and high protein diets. In comparison to controls, dimethoate treated animals were found to excrete significantly decreased amounts of urinary hydroxyproline fractions from 7th day onwards. The excretion of total hydroxylysylglycoside in urine parallels the excretion of hydroxyproline. The urinary output of both glu-gal-hyl and gal-hyl was also appreciably lower from dimethoate treated animals. The normal ratio of glu-gal-hyl and gal-hyl found in the urine of dimethoate treated animals was discussed in light of decreased turn over of collagen in both bone and skin. The effect of dimethoate in rats fed with high protein diet was comparatively less than those fed with normal diet.