Toxicity of echinulin from Aspergillus chevalieri in rabbits

Toxicol Lett. 1989 Sep;48(3):235-41. doi: 10.1016/0378-4274(89)90049-0.

Abstract

Rabbits were injected intraperitoneally with purified echinulin, a product of Aspergillus chevalieri. After 2 h, the rabbits were bled and enzyme analyses were carried out on the supernates of liver homogenates and citrated plasma. Elevated levels of total plasma lactate dehydrogenase, cardiac derived isozyme, glutamic-oxaloacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities in animals receiving toxin were observed. These levels were statistically significant compared to the vehicle control. A significant increase in liver lactate dehydrogenase of toxin-treated rabbits was also observed. Light-microscopic examination of lung and liver showed a significant degree of damage. The increase in plasma enzyme levels is indicative of damage to these organs.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Aspergillus / analysis*
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / toxicity
  • Female
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / analysis
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / pathology
  • Mycotoxins / toxicity*
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Mycotoxins
  • echinuline
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide