Does omethoate have the potential to cause insulin resistance

Abstract Persistent organic pollutant exposure is strongly associated with the development of diabetes. The development of diabetes or alteration in blood glucose levels is associated with insulin resistance that precedes diabetes for many years. Omethoate is a commonly used insecticide in most developing countries. The present study was designed to elucidate the potent role of omethoate in developing insulin resistance in rats. Male Wistar rats were exposed to omethoate at the concentration of 1.5 mg/kg body weight (1/40 LD 50 ), 3 mg/kg body weight (1/20 LD 50 ) and 6 mg/kg body weight (1/10 LD 50 ) through gastric injection for 60 days; control group rats received PBS through gastric injection. The results showed that the levels of MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 were increased and the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were decreased in the right thigh muscles of rats exposed to omethoate. However, JNK, p38 MAPK and NF-κB in right thigh muscles of rats exposed to omethoate were activated. This study suggested that omethoate had a potential to cause insulin resistance.