Toxicon最新文献

{"title":"Impact of environmental factors on Apis dorsata (giant Asian honeybee) venom in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka","authors":"Peshala Gunasekara ,&nbsp;S.M. Handunnetti ,&nbsp;Sunil Premawansa ,&nbsp;W.M.D.K. Dasanayake ,&nbsp;Indra P. Ratnayake ,&nbsp;R.K.S. Dias ,&nbsp;G.A.S. Premakumara ,&nbsp;Suranjith L. Seneviratne ,&nbsp;Rajiva de Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Apis dorsata</em> stings are amongst the most frequent insect-stings in Sri Lanka. <em>A. dorsata</em> venom consists of a mixture of components including PLA₂, melittin, hyaluronidase and apamin. However, there are no studies done in Sri Lanka to evaluate the environmental influence in venom production. We, herein, tried to correlate the variations in those four venom components of <em>A. dorsata</em> with environmental factors (temperature, rainfall, wind speed and relative humidity). The venom components were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and variations in environmental factors were gathered from the Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka. Of the four components, PLA₂ (r = 0.718; p = 0.009 and r = 0.636; p = 0.026) and melittin r = 0.734; p = 0.007 and r = 0.582; p = 0.047) showed significant correlations with temperature and wind speed, respectively. Whilst relative humidity showed significant negative correlations with PLA₂ (r = - 0.634; p = 0.027) and melittin (r = −0.643; p = 0.024). There was no significant correlation of climatic parameters with hyaluronidase or apamin. The results indicated a variation in the composition of venom components with the month in which the venom was collected due to climatic influence and it should be considered when therapeutic grade venom preparations are produced.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108163"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142626538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toxicological consequences of yellowjacket wasp and its larvae entomophagy in Himalayan region of Nepal; case report and review of literature","authors":"Aayush Adhikari ,&nbsp;Rajesh Sharma ,&nbsp;Ishwor Thapaliya ,&nbsp;Resona Simkhada ,&nbsp;Pratik Baral ,&nbsp;Mahima Acharya ,&nbsp;Sushil Kumar Yadav ,&nbsp;Sishir Poudel ,&nbsp;Sunil B.K.","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108153","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Entomophagy, or insect consumption, is a common traditional practice in Asia, Africa, and South America including Nepal. Despite its longstanding cultural presence, there is limited literature on the toxicological effects of ingesting wasp larvae. This case report describes seven individuals who experienced toxicity after consuming pan-fried yellowjacket wasp larvae in August 2023. Symptoms included seizures, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, and cardiovascular instability. The cases varied in severity, with some patients exhibiting profound hypotension and neurological symptoms. The symptoms suggest possible neurotoxic effects of venom components in wasp larvae, though some studies indicate larvae may lack venom glands. The slow progression and severity of symptoms highlight the need for further investigation into the toxicological profile of wasp larvae. Future research should focus on identifying specific venom components of yellowjackets, examining cooking impacts on toxicity, and exploring venom variations across wasp species to improve treatment approaches and safety protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108153"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142508742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Study repair function of mucin-2 on the tight junction protein of uterine epithelial cells under bacterial endotoxins” [Toxicon 252 (2024) 108162]","authors":"Dujian Yan ,&nbsp;Mengru Zhou ,&nbsp;Tian Tian ,&nbsp;Chenchen Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108189","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108189","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 108189"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142756613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thamnophis sirtalis and their toxic relationship: Testing for intraspecific venom variation in Common Garter Snakes","authors":"Grace E. Coppinger,&nbsp;Aaron J. Stewart,&nbsp;Joel A. Borden,&nbsp;Jason L. Strickland","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intraspecific phenotypic variation can be used as a window into the ecological differences among individuals of a species and lead to a better understanding of adaptive evolution. Adaptive traits, such as venom, that play an important ecological role for a species are useful models for understanding the sources of intraspecific variation. Intraspecific studies on front-fanged venomous snakes have offered deeper insights into the diverse mechanisms and adaptations that support the effectiveness of venom across species. Despite the extensive research on front-fanged venomous snakes, rear-fanged snakes, representing two-thirds of all snake species, have been largely overlooked. To test for sex and age-based intraspecific venom variation, we sequenced the messenger RNA from the Duvernoy’s gland of 9 male and 10 female Common Garter Snakes, <em>Thamnophis sirtalis</em>, of different sizes from a single location. Our data represent the most venom gland transcriptomes of any venomous snake species from a single location and represent the first Duvernoy’s venom gland transcriptomes for <em>Thamnophis sirtalis</em>. We found four toxin families dominate the <em>Thamnophis sirtalis</em> transcriptome: Snake Venom Metalloproteinases (SVMPs), Three-finger toxins (3FTxs), Cysteine-Rich Secretory Proteins (CRISPs), and C-type lectins (CTLs). <em>Thamnophis sirtalis</em> exhibits a unique balance in toxin expression, with approximately 30% each of neurotoxic (3FTx-dominated) and enzymatic (SVMP-dominated) components. No other published RFS Duvernoy’s gland transcriptome displays this ratio, rather they are dominated by one or the other. Additionally, venom expression varies with sex and size, with differences in toxin gene expression between males and females as they grow. Our study provides new insights on venom composition in a RFS species and highlights the amount of intraspecific variation possible among individuals from a single population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 108185"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142758954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Outbreak of ruminal acidosis in cattle caused by the ingestion of hedge lucerne (Desmanthus virgatus L. Willd.) in Northeastern Brazil","authors":"Francisca Maria Sousa Barbosa ,&nbsp;Jerônimo Correia de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Harlan Hallamys de Lima Nascimento ,&nbsp;Alexandra Melo Oliveira ,&nbsp;Maria do Carmo Sales da Silva ,&nbsp;Misael Alves da Silva ,&nbsp;Anadelia Pinto Viana Correia ,&nbsp;Weslley D.Queiroz da Silva ,&nbsp;Sara Vilar Dantas Simões ,&nbsp;Ricardo Barbosa Lucena","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108190","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108190","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study describes the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects of an outbreak of ruminal acidosis and ruminitis caused by the ingestion of hedge lucerne (<em>Desmanthus virgatus</em> L.) in 70 cattle in the state of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. The herd had been transported from the state of Piauí to Paraiba. The deaths of the cattle occurred 15 days after the animals were introduced to a native pasture containing <em>D. virgatus</em>. All animals exhibited ruminal atony, which ranged from mild to severe. A total of 35 cattle died, with five undergoing necropsy. Initial clinical signs included apathy, followed by a marked increase in left abdominal volume, consistent with ruminal distension, absence of rumination (ruminal atony), lateral recumbency, and ultimately death. All affected animals were treated with oral administration of rumen fluid, enteral fluid therapy, and oral antacids. During this period, twenty animals succumbed to the condition, and an additional 15 died after being relocated, resulting in a 50% fatality rate. Significant gross pathological findings were observed primarily in the digestive system. The forestomachs were markedly distended, containing large amounts of reddish, pasty, and serous ingesta. A demarcation line was evident in the esophagus, separating the pale and bloodless distal esophagus from the congested proximal esophagus at the thoracic inlet, corresponding to the “bloat line.\" Frothy material was present in the tracheal lumen, indicating pulmonary edema. Additionally, rectal prolapse was noted. Histopathological examination revealed marked edema and severe hydropic (ballooning) degeneration of the basal layer in the forestomachs, along with intercellular edema. Separation of the epithelium from the lamina propria, forming multiple clefts, was observed, accompanied by areas of lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate in the submucosa. This study demonstrates that this plant can cause severe gastrointestinal disturbances in cattle unaccustomed to its consumption and ingesting large quantities of the plant's shoots.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 108190"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142743889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancements in diagnostic techniques for scorpion venom identification: A comprehensive review","authors":"Upasana Puzari ,&nbsp;Bhabana Das ,&nbsp;Ashis K. Mukherjee","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Scorpion envenomation's ignored public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries is alarming. Particularly dangerous for small children and the elderly, it can cause severe problems and even death. Recent studies have proposed the creation of rapid, easy, species-specific, and sensitive detection kits as an alternative to the methods currently used to identify scorpions. Unfortunately, there is currently no commercially available technology for detecting scorpion envenomation in clinical settings, especially in remote tropical health centres. This study delineates the most dangerous scorpion species globally and the advancements in identifying their stings in vitro or in envenomed plasma. Furthermore, we have highlighted the practical challenges associated with scorpion venom detection and the necessity for innovative, expedited, and more accessible detection kits in countries where scorpion envenomation poses a significant issue.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 108191"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142755702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toxicity of bioactive compounds from Halocnemum strobilaceum against A549 lung cancer cells","authors":"Vahid Pourabdollah-Kaleybar ,&nbsp;Parinaz Pourabdollah-Kaleybar ,&nbsp;Morteza Eskandani ,&nbsp;Hossein Nazemiyeh","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the toxicity of bioactive compounds isolated from the halophytic plant <em>Halocnemum strobilaceum</em> against A549 lung cancer cells. Sequential extraction using petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol yielded various fractions, with the petroleum ether extract demonstrating the highest cytotoxicity. Through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation techniques, including vacuum liquid chromatography and column chromatography, three compounds were identified: (<strong>1</strong>) Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, (<strong>2</strong>) isorhamnetin-3-glucoside, and (<strong>3</strong>) quercetin-3-glucoside. The cytotoxic effects of these compounds were assessed using the MTT assay, revealing significant toxicity on A549 cells, with quercetin-3-glucoside exhibiting 78% cytotoxicity and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside showing 69% cytotoxicity at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. These findings suggest that the toxic effects of <em>H. strobilaceum</em> may be attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, known for their antioxidant and free-radical scavenging capabilities. This highlights the potential of <em>H. strobilaceum</em> as a source of novel anti-cancer agents, warranting further studies to elucidate the mechanisms of action and explore therapeutic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 108186"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142743887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scorpion serotherapy during pregnancy protects rat offspring from harmful effects of venom","authors":"Guilherme Gonelli Paz ,&nbsp;Maria Eliza Ferreira do Val de Paulo ,&nbsp;Ana Leonor Abrahão Nencioni","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108188","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108188","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the numerous incidents of scorpion envenoming worldwide, little is known about the effects of maternal venom exposure and serotherapy on fetal development. The impact of antivenom on pregnant rats envenomed by <em>Tityus serrulatus</em> venom was examined. The venom caused alterations in the development of the offspring, yet the antivenom protected against these adverse effects and does not cause harm in itself, indicating the potential benefits of serotherapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142699306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Botulinum toxin A dampened inflammatory response in BV-2 microglial cells","authors":"Mario Brito da Silva Filho ,&nbsp;Gabriela Aniceto ,&nbsp;Patrícia Maria Fernandes ,&nbsp;Iara Gonçalves Aquino ,&nbsp;Gustavo Duarte Mendes ,&nbsp;Marcelo Henrique Napimoga ,&nbsp;Juliana Trindade Clemente-Napimoga ,&nbsp;Henrique Ballassini Abdalla","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Our previous studies have demonstrated the analgesic effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) in a pre-clinical model of rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint, where we proposed that BoNT/A decreases the neurogenic milieu after reaching the subnucleus caudalis. However, it is unknown whether BoNT/A directly regulates microglial cell activity. Therefore, the present study investigates the effects of BoNT/A on a microglial murine cell lineage (BV-2) in different inflammatory conditions. Cellular viability and proliferation were carried out with different concentrations of BoNT/A (ranging from 0.3125 to 20 U/mL) for 24 h. Cells were primed with carrageenan (300 μg/mL) or Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (20 ng/mL). The gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, Ikkβ, p65, Iba1 were quantified using PCR-RT. The supernatant was used to determine IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. For all data, the significance level was set at 5%. Overall, data analysis revealed that BoNT/A 1.25 U/mL exhibited the greatest effect cell viability and proliferation. In addition, genes associated with inflammatory response in both stimuli (carrageenan and LPS) were downregulated in the presence of BoNT/A. Lastly, BoNT/A mitigates the protein levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in a time and dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our results revealed that BoNT/A directly modulates the microglial cells' activities in an inflammatory context, opening new perspectives for using BoNT/A, considering its potential immunomodulatory effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108182"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142695793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Top-down proteomics of venoms from five Micrurus species from Costa Rica: comparative composition of phospholipase A2-rich vs three-finger toxin-rich phenotypes","authors":"Julián Fernández ,&nbsp;Walter Chaves ,&nbsp;David Vargas-Diaz ,&nbsp;Daniel Petras ,&nbsp;Bruno Lomonte","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108187","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108187","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coralsnakes of the genus <em>Micrurus</em> include more than 80 species distributed in the American continent. They produce potent neurotoxic venoms acting at the neuromuscular junction and potentially leading to respiratory paralysis and death. The vast majority of proteins in coralsnake venoms belong to the three-finger toxin (3FTx) and the group I phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) families. Previous studies using ‘bottom-up’ proteomic strategies have revealed a compositional dichotomy of toxin expression by which different <em>Micrurus</em> species display a predominance of either 3FTx or PLA₂ proteins in their venoms, possibly linked to the phylogeographic structure of the genus radiation. ‘Top-down’ proteomics (TDP) allows the direct analysis of intact proteins in a high resolution mass spectrometer, circumventing the limitations of the ‘peptide-to-protein inference problem’ inherent to the bottom-up approach. Here, we analyzed the venoms of five out of the six <em>Micrurus</em> species that inhabit Costa Rica, by using a TDP approach. Results unveil venom proteoforms that are shared between these species, and provide additional insights into the variable compositional complexity of these venoms and relationships to their 3FTx/PLA₂ dichotomy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"252 ","pages":"Article 108187"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142695795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}