Influence of cholinergic and adrenergic blocking drugs on hyperglycemia and brain glycogenolysis in diazinon-treated animals

Diazinon, an organophosphorous compound, produced hyperglycemia and reduced the glycogen content of the brain 2 h after its administration to rats (40 mg/kg, i.p.). The activities of the glycogenolytic enzymes, glycogen phosphorylase and phosphoglucomutase, were significantly increased, while that of glucose-6-phosphatase was not altered. Atropine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) given immediately after diazinon abolished the changes; tolazoline or propranolol (each at 10 mg/kg, i.p.) injected 30 min before the administration of diazinon significantly reduced the hyperglycemia and the increase in brain glycogenolysis. A combination of tolazoline and propranolol was more effective than either of them alone and completely abolished the hyperglycemia and the changes in brain glycogenolysis. It may be concluded that diazinon initially activates central cholinergic processes leading to hyperglycemia and increased cerebral glycogenolysis in animals.