Effect of alloxan on the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg9

The third instar larvae were allowed to feed on the diet having 0.001-0.004 M of alloxan in the diet for 24 h. The larvae were collected and were analyzed for hsp70 expression and tissue damage. The larvae homogenate was used for estimating GSH content, GST activity, LPO, PCC, and glucose content. The activity of caspase 3 and 9, apoptotic index, and DNA damage was estimated in the midgut cells of the larvae exposed to various doses of alloxan. The results suggest that alloxan is toxic at 0.002, 0.003, and 0.004 M without alteration in glucose content.