Toxicon最新文献

{"title":"A novel zearalenone lactonase can effectively mitigate zearalenone-induced reproductive toxicity in gilts","authors":"Jun-Chao Song ,&nbsp;Zhe Peng ,&nbsp;Yan-Qi Ning ,&nbsp;Alainaa Refaie ,&nbsp;Cheng-Fei Wang ,&nbsp;Meng Liu ,&nbsp;Lv-Hui Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Zymdetox Z-2000 is a novel zearalenone (ZEN) lactonase produced by <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> that can biodegrade ZEN to hydrolyzed ZEN and decarboxylated hydrolyzed ZEN with much lower estrogenic activity. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Zymdetox Z-2000 in mitigating the adverse effects of ZEN on the growth performance and reproductive health of gilts. A total of 80 crossbred Landrace × Yorkshire gilts (9.82 ± 0.79 kg) were allocated into five groups and received a basal diet (BD; CON), BD supplemented with 0.4 mg/kg ZEN (ZEN), BD plus ZEN with 0.01% Zymdetox Z-2000 (ZEN-Zym), BD plus ZEN with 0.01% coated Zymdetox Z-2000 (ZEN-CoZym), and BD plus ZEN with 0.1% <em>B. subtilis</em> (ZEN-Bs), respectively, for 28 days. Compared to the CON group, ZEN treatment reduced the body weight gain of the gilts, increased vulva area and vaginal and uterus indices, and increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and estradiol (E2) concentration. ZEN treatment also induced ovaries histopathology changes, decreased the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in uterus but increased T-AOC in ovaries, and increased ZEN concentration in stomach and duodenum than those of the CON group. Interestingly, dietary supplementation with the three products effectively alleviated these ZEN-induced adverse effects, as Zymdetox Z-2000 and coated Zymdetox Z-2000 showed better mitigating effects than <em>B. subtilis</em>. In conclusion, ZEN exposure impaired the growth and reproductive health of gilts, while dietary supplementation with Zymdetox Z-2000 and coated Zymdetox Z-2000 can effectively alleviate ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity in gilts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108257"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012424","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":"Co-administration of rifampicin and Boswellia serrata mitigates testicular toxicity caused by Aflatoxin B1","authors":"Fatih Ahmet Korkak ,&nbsp;Zeliha Keskin Alkaç ,&nbsp;Gözde Arkalı ,&nbsp;İbrahim Halil Güngör ,&nbsp;Burak Fatih Yüksel ,&nbsp;Canan Akdeniz İncili ,&nbsp;Sadettin Tanyıldızı ,&nbsp;Gürdal Dağoğlu","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108238","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108238","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The current study was aimed to investigate the effect of rifampicin (Rif), a stimulator of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), on limiting the passage of AFB1 (Aflatoxin B1) into testicular tissue. The second objective was to examine the potential protective effects of <em>Boswellia serrata</em> extract (BSE), which exhibits a strong antioxidant capacity, alone or incombination with Rif against testicular damage induced by AFB1. A total of 49 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven experimental groups as follows: control (placebo), Rif (10 mg/kg), BSE (500 mg/kg), AFB1 (0.75 mg/kg), AFB1+Rif, AFB1+BSE, and AFB1+Rif + BSE. The rats were administered AFB1, Rif, and BSE for seven days. The result of this study indicated that Rif decreased the amount of AFB1 permeating the testicular tissue by stimulating the expression of P-gp and BCRP. The administration of the combination of BSE and Rif resulted in a reduction of oxidative stress, apoptosis, improvement in sperm function parameters, and an increase in serum testosterone levels. These effects contributed to the improvement of impaired testicular structure. The result of this study revealed that the Rif can potentially serve as an efficacious therapeutic agent and the administration of BSE exhibited a reduction in testicular damage induced by AFB1. However, the combination of BSE and Rif provided more effective protection than using alone.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108238"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012431","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":"Medicinal plants and home remedies for scorpion sting envenomation: Why proven therapies should take precedence pending robust evidence","authors":"Eduardo Alfonso Hernández-Muñoz ,&nbsp;Adolfo Borges ,&nbsp;Eugenio Vladimir Zavala-Sánchez","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108261","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108261"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042266","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":"BoNT/Action beyond neurons","authors":"Sara Marinelli","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) has expanded its therapeutic uses beyond neuromuscular disorders to include treatments for various pain syndromes and neurological conditions. Originally recognized for blocking acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions, BoNT/A's effects extend to both peripheral and central nervous systems. Its ability to undergo retrograde transport allows BoNT/A to modulate synaptic transmission and reduce pain centrally, influencing neurotransmitter systems beyond muscle control.</div><div>BoNT/A also interacts with glial cells, such as Schwann cells, satellite glial cells, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. Schwann cells, key to peripheral nerve regeneration, are directly influenced by BoNT/A, which promotes their proliferation and enhances remyelination. Satellite glial cells, involved in sensory neuron regulation, show reduced glutamate release in response to BoNT/A, aiding in pain relief.</div><div>In the CNS, BoNT/A modulates astrocyte activity, reducing excitotoxicity and inflammation, which is relevant in conditions like epilepsy. Microglia, the CNS's immune cells, shift from a pro-inflammatory to a neuroprotective state when treated with BoNT/A, enhancing tissue repair. Additionally, BoNT/A promotes oligodendrocyte survival and remyelination, especially after spinal cord injury.</div><div>Overall, BoNT/A's ability to target both neurons and glial cells presents a multifaceted therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders, pain management, and CNS repair. Further research is necessary to fully elucidate its mechanisms and optimize its clinical application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108250"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042262","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":"A silent killer in the word: Review on Aspergillus flavus strains","authors":"Yann Christie Sissinto Adjovi ,&nbsp;Joli Prince Mintognissè Fossou ,&nbsp;Ulrich Hilarion Ahehehinnou","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Filamentous fungi are recognized for their significance in food processing and antibiotic production, as well as their capacity to produce mycotoxins. Numerous secondary metabolites have been investigated, and their occurrence in foodstuffs, both in the field and during the storage of agricultural products, poses a substantial health risk to consumers. Several fungal species capable of producing mycotoxins have been documented. However, their presence suggests the potential occurrence of mycotoxins, of which only the most well-known are considered in health risk assessment, thus potentially underestimating the complex mixture to which consumers may be exposed. This review examines the range of secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus species of the Flavi section found in agricultural products and foodstuffs. Known for their ability to produce aflatoxins, the presence of these fungi typically leads to the investigation of only aflatoxins, and possibly cyclopiazonic acid, in contaminated foods. This review elucidates the secondary metabolites produced by the Flavi section of Aspergillus and examines the associated hazards, to contribute to the assessment of the potential risk that the presence of these fungi in food products may represent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108225"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142955668","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":"Analysis of fibrinogenolytic activity of South American Bothrops and Crotalus venoms reveals widespread variation on human fibrinogen cleavage","authors":"Maria Victória Motta Soares ,&nbsp;Nathália da Costa Galizio ,&nbsp;Marisa Maria Teixeira da Rocha ,&nbsp;Kathleen Fernandes Grego ,&nbsp;Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo ,&nbsp;Karen de Morais-Zani","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fibrinogen is a common target of SVMP and SVSP. These toxins can destructively cleave fibrinogen, leading to the depletion of its levels. Herein we comparatively describe the fibrinogenolytic activity of the venom of <em>Bothrops</em> and <em>Crotalus</em> snakes, viperids of high epidemiological importance in Brazil. Results emphasize species-specific differences in the degradation rate and the specificity of the preferentially degraded fibrinogen chains, reflecting the complexity of the coagulotoxic effects induced by envenomation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108236"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142966617","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":"Educating healthcare workers in snakebite management: A study to determine the effectiveness of the snake bite life support workshop","authors":"Aravind Sreekumar,&nbsp;Siju V. Abraham,&nbsp;P.C. Rajeev,&nbsp;Vijay Chanchal A. B,&nbsp;Appu Suseel,&nbsp;Deo Mathew,&nbsp;Collin R. George,&nbsp;Babu U. Palatty","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108235","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108235","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Snakebite envenomation is a significant global health issue, with India bearing a substantial burden. Despite the development of guidelines, knowledge gaps and lack of training persist among healthcare workers (HCWs), contributing to high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Snake Bite Life Support (SBLS) workshop on HCWs’ knowledge, practices, self-efficacy, and advocacy skills in snakebite management.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A pre-post interventional study was conducted during the SBLS workshop at a tertiary care center in May 2024. HCWs’ knowledge, practical skills, self-efficacy, and advocacy skills were assessed using standardized questionnaires and a modified General Self-Efficacy (GSE) scale, both before and after the workshop. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25.0, employing paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for comparison.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Forty-one HCWs completed the pre- and post-workshop assessments. Significant improvements were observed in knowledge, particularly in avoiding false positive 20-min whole blood clotting test (20WBCT) results (p = 0.020) and premedication for antivenom (p &lt; 0.001). Participants reported a marked increase in self-efficacy across all GSE parameters and demonstrated enhanced advocacy intent in resource management, policy influence, and educational outreach. The workshop influenced practice changes, notably reducing the administration of antivenom in confirmed hump-nosed pit viper bites.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The SBLS workshop effectively enhanced HCWs' knowledge, management practices, self-efficacy, and advocacy intentions, emphasizing the need for integrating such training into healthcare education to drive systemic change in snakebite management and improve patient outcomes. Future studies should focus on long-term impacts and broader implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108235"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142966686","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":"Simplifying traditional approaches for accessible analysis of snake venom enzymes","authors":"Gisele Adriano Wiezel ,&nbsp;Isadora Sousa de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Eliane Candiani Arantes","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108255","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108255","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snake venoms enzymes affect diverse physiological mechanisms leading to effects such as inflammation, edema, hemolysis, and blood clotting disorders. In this report, we describe modifications to classical assays for assessing the enzymatic activity of snake venom phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) and phosphodiesterase (PDE), including the adaptation of the PDE assay to an agar plate. A final staining step, using Stains-all®, was added to the PLA₂ activity assay on an egg yolk-containing agar plate. Moreover, PDE activity was successfully and qualitative assed using an agar plate-immobilized <em>bis</em>-<em>p</em>-nitrophenyl-phosphate. The modified methods introduced in this study improve accessibility for a broader spectrum of researchers, enabling venom-related investigations in any laboratory setting, with special relevance for regions where snakebites are most prevalent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108255"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143011498","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":"Predictive value of the systemic inflammatory response index and APACHE II score for acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by wasp stings","authors":"Zhiwen Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiaolin Zhang ,&nbsp;Daiqiang Liu,&nbsp;Wentao Tao,&nbsp;Chi Tong,&nbsp;Yongfei Wang,&nbsp;Zhicheng Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108252","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108252","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to assess the predictive value of the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and APACHE II score for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting from wasp stings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective study was conducted, including patients who suffered wasp stings and developed ARDS between January 2018 and November 2024 in the Shiyan area of Hubei province. Based on the 28-day prognosis, patients were categorized into two groups: survivors (n = 21) and non-survivors (n = 25). Clinical data, including demographic characteristics, sting site, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and treatment measures, were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive roles of SIRI and APACHE II scores in ARDS prognosis, and their clinical predictive value was assessed using ROC curves.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant differences were observed between the survivor and non-survivor groups in APACHE II scores, number of stings, and length of hospitalization (P &lt; 0.05). However, factors such as gender, time of first visit, and site of stings showed no statistically significant differences (P &gt; 0.05). Leukocyte counts, SIRI, and APACHE II scores were significantly lower in the survivor group compared to the non-survivor group (P &lt; 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the APACHE II score (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.12–1.79, P = 0.004) and SIRI (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07–1.49, P = 0.005) were significant independent predictors of 28-day mortality in ARDS patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC for early SIRI was 0.821 (95% CI: 0.693–0.949, P &lt; 0.001), while the AUC for the APACHE II score was 0.809 (95% CI: 0.681–0.936, P &lt; 0.001), indicating that both measures have high clinical predictive value.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study demonstrated that the APACHE II score and SIRI are valuable tools for predicting the prognosis of ARDS patients caused by wasp stings. Early elevation of these markers is closely associated with an increased risk of mortality and can serve as an effective means of assessing disease severity and mortality risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108252"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143029730","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":"Understanding the effects of Bothrops erythromelas and Bothrops leucurus venoms on human blood coagulation","authors":"Eduardo Oliveira Venancio de Lima ,&nbsp;Lídia Jorge Tasima ,&nbsp;Daniela Miki Hatakeyama ,&nbsp;Maria Amélia Farias Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Caroline Serino-Silva ,&nbsp;Daniel Rodrigues Stuginski ,&nbsp;Giovanni Perez Machado da Silveira ,&nbsp;Benedito Carlos Prezoto ,&nbsp;Kathleen Fernandes Grego ,&nbsp;Sávio Stefanini Sant’Anna ,&nbsp;Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo ,&nbsp;Karen de Morais-Zani","doi":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coagulation disorders are a primary symptom of envenomation caused by snakes belonging to the genus <em>Bothrops</em>. In the Northeast region of Brazil, the species <em>Bothrops erythromelas</em> and <em>Bothrops leucurus</em> are the main responsible for snakebite accidents. Due to the specific action of <em>Bothrops</em> venoms on several components of the coagulation cascade, the objective of this work was to characterize the coagulotoxic profile of <em>B. erythromelas</em> and <em>B. leucurus</em> venoms and the neutralizing potential of bothropic antivenom, considering that their venom are not used in the production of antivenom. Regarding the clotting components targeted by the venom of these species, <em>B. leucurus</em> samples had higher thrombin-like activity and ability to activate prothrombin, while the activation of Factor X was comparable between these two species. <em>B.erythromelas</em> and <em>B. leucurus</em> venom displayed α- and β-fibrinogenolytic activities, with the former presenting higher overall fibrinogenolytic activity. In contrast, <em>B. erythromelas</em> venom showed greater procoagulant activity on human plasma, assessed through the coagulation time induced by the venom samples and thromboelastometry. Bothropic antivenom inhibited the procoagulant potential of <em>B. leucurus</em> venom better than <em>B. erythromelas</em>. However, the ability of the antivenom to neutralize this activity is lower compared to that determined for the venom of <em>B. jararaca</em>, which is used for antivenom production. The results shown herein describe the procoagulant activity of <em>B. leucurus</em> and <em>B. erythromelas</em> venoms and highlight the differences regarding their procoagulant capacity on human plasma, contributing to a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of the envenomation caused by these species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23289,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108231"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142955671","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}