[Chronic organophosphorus intoxication and aging in rats]

Possible acceleration of aging due to the administration of organophosphorus pesticide (OP) was studied. Fenthion (6 mg/kg/day) was subcutaneously administered dorsally to rats over a period of 12 weeks. The amounts of fluorescent lipid peroxidation products (FLPP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured in various tissues. Microscopic examination was added only in the lens. The amount of FLPP in the retina-choroid, lens, kidney and heart of the rats was found to be increased (lens; p less than 0.01, kidney; p less than 0.05). The activity of SOD in the retina-choroid, optic nerve, liver and heart increased temporarily, but eventually returned to control levels. The lens preparations at the end of the 12-week administration period showed irregular bow configuration and epithelial nuclear dislocation in the bow area. FLPP are fluorescent products produced by peroxide lipids and their amounts increase with aging. Increase in the amounts of these products and microscopic findings for the lens were indications of the progress of aging. There is thus the possibility that the inducement of SOD production may decrease with aging. It was concluded that the organophosphorus pesticide may accelerate the aging of rats.