Int. J. Environment and Pollution, Vol. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Effects of nickel exposure and acute pesticide intoxication on acetylcholinesterase, catalase and Glutathione S-Transferase activity and glucose absorption in the digestive tract of Helix aspersa (Pulmonata, Helicidae) Agnieszka Zawisza-Raszka, Bogdan Dolezych*, Stanislawa Dolezych and Pawel Migula Department of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, PL-40007 Katowice, Poland E-mail: agnieszka.zawisza-raszka@us.edu.pl E-mail: bogdan.dolezych@us.edu.pl E-mail: stanislawa.dolezych@us.edu.pl E-mail: pawel.migula@us.edu.pl *Corresponding author Maciej Ligaszewski Department of Technology, Ecology and Economics of Animal Production National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, PL-32083 Balice k. Krakowa, Poland E-mail: mligasze@izoo.krakow.pl Abstract: The activity of detoxifying enzymes and glucose absorption were measured in the digestive tract of Helix aspersa exposed to nickel. Nickel decreased CAT activity and, in the lower concentration, inhibited intestinal absorption of glucose. Elevated AChE activity and unchanged GST activity indicate diversity in enzymatic response to nickel. Nickel at higher concentration, destroying the intestinal wall integrity, caused high glucose influx. Nickel pre-treatment augmented the response to a single diazinon application. AChE activity was greatly reduced compared with nickel-untreated snails. The reduction in CAT activity was similar in both groups. Glucose absorption remained unchanged. Keywords: AChE; acetylcholinesterase; GST; Glutathione S-Transferase; CAT; catalase; glucose absorption; Helix aspersa; nickel; diazinon; pesticides; snails. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Zawisza-Raszka, A., Dolezych, B., Dolezych, S., Migula, P. and Ligaszewski, M. (2010) ‘Effects of nickel exposure and acute pesticide intoxication on acetylcholinesterase, catalase and Glutathione S-Transferase activity and glucose absorption in the digestive tract of Helix aspersa (Pulmonata, Helicidae)’, Int. J. Environment and Pollution, Vol.