Neurochemical alterations in rat brain as a test for studying the neurotoxicity of organophosphorus insecticides.

Male Wistar rats were acutely and chronically intoxicated with organophosphorus insecticides (OPI)-chlorfenvinphos, dichlorvos and fenitrothion. The effects on brain acetylcholine esterase activity (AChE) and norepinephrine (NE) level were determined. Moreover, the effects of chlorfenvinphos on the rate of disappearance and turnover of brain NE was measured. The whole studies revealed that the different degree of AChe inhibition was always accompanied by marked diminution of brain NE level. The rate of decline and turnover time of NE were affected by chlorfenvinphos.