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Pathway Description
Malathion Action Pathway
Homo sapiens
Drug Action Pathway
Malathion is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat head lice due to its low toxicity to humans. Malathion is an organophosphate which acts to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, it acts by binding to cholinesterase stopping the breakdown of acetylcholine to choline and acetic acid. Due to this, the neuron cannot return to a resting state after being activated, this causes the lice to experience muscle spasms and ultimately die. It is administered through a topical application which is readily absorbed by the insects, and only 8% by human skin. It is metabolized into metabolites known as malathion dicarboxylic acid, malathion monocarboxylic acid and malaoxon.
References
Malathion Pathway References
Baker EL Jr, Warren M, Zack M, Dobbin RD, Miles JW, Miller S, Alderman L, Teeters WR: Epidemic malathion poisoning in Pakistan malaria workers. Lancet. 1978 Jan 7;1(8054):31-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(78)90375-6.
Pubmed: 74508
Bonner MR, Coble J, Blair A, Beane Freeman LE, Hoppin JA, Sandler DP, Alavanja MC: Malathion exposure and the incidence of cancer in the agricultural health study. Am J Epidemiol. 2007 Nov 1;166(9):1023-34. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwm182. Epub 2007 Aug 23.
Pubmed: 17720683
Edwards JW, Lee SG, Heath LM, Pisaniello DL: Worker exposure and a risk assessment of malathion and fenthion used in the control of Mediterranean fruit fly in South Australia. Environ Res. 2007 Jan;103(1):38-45. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2006.06.001. Epub 2006 Aug 17.
Pubmed: 16914134
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