cyanoginosin-lr and Poisoning

In 26 hr laboratory trials a dose of 1000 micrograms/kg microcystin-LR (MC-LR) caused 100% mortality in rainbow trout, while no mortality was observed at doses of 400 micrograms/kg or less. The liver to body mass ratio increased in fish exposed to the toxin which was likely due to water retention in the liver. In contrast to mammalian studies, hemorrhage of the liver was rare in fish. Exposure to MC-LR caused widespread hepatocellular swelling and lysis of hepatocyte plasma membranes, resulting in liquifactive necrosis (organelles floating in a milieux of cellular debris). Kidney lesions in the fish consisted of coagulative tubular necrosis with a dilation of Bowman's space. Lesions observed in the liver and kidney of fish exposed to MC-LR were considerably different than those previously reported for mammals.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Body Weight; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hemorrhage; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Kidney Tubules; Liver; Marine Toxins; Microcystins; Microscopy, Electron; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Organ Size; Peptides, Cyclic; Poisoning

Topics: Animals; Autopsy; Biological Assay; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cyanobacteria; Death, Sudden; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Liver; Male; Marine Toxins; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microcystins; Peptides, Cyclic; Plants, Toxic; Poisoning; Water Supply