Effect of acute sublethal and chronic administration of DDT (chlorophenotane) on brain lipid metabolism of rhesus monkeys.

Either a single oral dose of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT), 150 mg/kg body weight or a long-term chronic dose of the pesticide, 10 mg/kg body weight daily for 100 days was administered to rhesus monkeys and the level of various lipid classes was studied in the brain. A significant decrease was observed in total lipid, unesterified cholesterol and phospholipid (PL) level. Individual PL fractions showed a generalized pattern of reduction, so also did the cholesterol (chol)/PL ratio. Sphingomyelin (SM) registered a significant increase, while no significant alteration was observed in the brain galactolipid and ganglioside level. Lipid lowering effect of DDT was more pronounced in the chronic group. Lipids associated with the myelin sheath were found to be more resistant to pesticide injury, while cholesterol and PL metabolism were more affected.