Related Experiment Videos
Toxicity of dietary Heliotropium dolosum seed to mice
1Firat University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Elazig-Turkey. yesarie@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Experimental pyrrolizidine alkaloid intoxication was produced in inbred Swiss mice. Animals were fed diets containing 0, 1, 3, 5, or 10% Heliotropium dolosum seed for 24 w. The seeds contained 0.13% total alkaloid concentration composed of 4 specific components: lasiocarpine (78.79%), heliosupine (11.96%), echimidine (5.43%), and heliotrine (3.82%). Deaths occurred in all dosed groups and increased with dietary seed concentration. Massive to submassive liver necrosis together with sinusoidal congestion, and hemorrhage or multifocal hepatocytic necrosis was limited to animals which survived < 5 w and were fed on 10% seed. Moderate to severe hepatomegalocytosis, scattered single cell necrosis, and mild subcapsuler fibrosis were seen in all test group animals that survived > 5 w. Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions in hepatocytes and bile duct and ductular cell hyperplasia were the most noticeable lesions in the 1, 3, and 5% groups. There was mild to moderate renal tubular megalocytosis in the 3, 5, and 10% groups. It seems likely that H dolosum seed, at least to a limited extent, constitutes a health hazard for certain animal species.
Insights
Heliotropium dolosum seed consumption caused pyrrolizidine alkaloid intoxication in mice, leading to dose-dependent deaths and significant liver damage. This study highlights the potential health hazard of H dolosum seed for animal species.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Animal Health
- Phytochemistry
Background:
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are naturally occurring toxins found in various plant species.
- Heliotropium dolosum is a plant known to contain PAs, posing a potential risk to animal health.
- Understanding the toxicological effects of specific plant PAs is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxicological effects of Heliotropium dolosum seed in a mouse model.
- To determine the dose-response relationship of H. dolosum seed consumption on animal health.
- To identify specific pathological lesions associated with pyrrolizidine alkaloid intoxication.
Main Methods:
- Inbred Swiss mice were fed diets containing 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, or 10% H. dolosum seed for 24 weeks.
- The alkaloid composition of H. dolosum seeds was analyzed.
- Animals were monitored for mortality, and necropsies were performed to assess pathological changes in the liver and kidneys.
Main Results:
- Mortality increased with higher dietary concentrations of H. dolosum seed.
- Acute liver necrosis, congestion, and hemorrhage were observed in mice fed 10% seed and surviving less than 5 weeks.
- Hepatomegalocytosis, single-cell necrosis, fibrosis, intranuclear inclusions, and bile duct hyperplasia were noted in mice surviving longer than 5 weeks across various dose groups.
- Renal tubular megalocytosis was observed in mice fed 3%, 5%, and 10% seed.
Conclusions:
- Heliotropium dolosum seed consumption poses a significant health hazard to mice, causing dose-dependent toxicity.
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in H. dolosum induce severe hepatotoxicity and varying degrees of nephrotoxicity.
- The findings suggest a need for caution regarding H. dolosum exposure in animal populations.