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[Preventive action of phenylalanine on acute intoxication of ochratoxin-A]
Abstract:
Ochratoxin-A, a mycotoxin causing kidney and liver damage, inhibits protein synthesis by competition with phenylalanine in the phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase catalysed reaction. A dose of 0,8 mg ochratoxine per Mouse is 100% lethal within 24 hrs, when injected intraperitoneally. When phenylalanine is injected simultaneously with ochratoxine-A, the survival of the animals was 100% for 1 mg of phenylalanine per Mouse. Ten times higher doses of phenylalanine are necessary to obtain a 85% survival if the amino acid is injected 30 min. after the mycotoxin. Phenylalanine gives a very low protection if injected 1 hr or more ochratoxine-A.
Insights
Ochratoxin-A is a lethal mycotoxin that inhibits protein synthesis. Simultaneous injection of phenylalanine protects mice from ochratoxin-A toxicity, but delayed administration significantly reduces its effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- Ochratoxin-A (OA) is a potent mycotoxin known to cause nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.
- OA interferes with cellular processes, including protein synthesis, by inhibiting phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase.
- Understanding the mechanisms of OA toxicity and potential countermeasures is crucial for public health.
Purpose:
- To investigate the protective effect of phenylalanine against Ochratoxin-A induced toxicity.
- To determine the optimal timing and dosage of phenylalanine administration for mitigating OA poisoning.
- To elucidate the biochemical basis of phenylalanine's protective action against OA.
Summary:
- Ochratoxin-A (OA) is acutely lethal to mice at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg, causing death within 24 hours.
- Simultaneous intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg of phenylalanine per mouse completely prevented OA-induced mortality.
- Delayed administration of phenylalanine (30 minutes post-OA) required ten times higher doses for 85% survival, with minimal protection observed after 1 hour.
Impact:
- This study highlights phenylalanine as a potential therapeutic agent against Ochratoxin-A poisoning.
- The findings emphasize the critical importance of the timing of intervention in mitigating mycotoxin toxicity.
- This research provides valuable insights into the competitive inhibition mechanism of OA toxicity and its reversal.