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Serologic evaluation of human microcystin exposure.
E D Hilborn1, W W Carmichael, R M Soares
1United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
Microcystins, potent cyanobacteria toxins, were detected in human serum after kidney dialysis exposure. These toxins exist in both free and protein-bound forms, with free forms representing a variable portion of total microcystins.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Cyanobacteria blooms release microcystins, a common global toxin.
- Intravenous exposure incidents in dialysis patients highlighted human exposure risks.
- Microcystins can exist as free and protein-bound forms in human serum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To biochemically characterize human microcystin exposure.
- To identify uncertainties in interpreting microcystin exposure data.
- To define research needs for understanding microcystin toxicokinetics.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for free microcystins.
- Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) used to detect 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (MMPB), a marker for total microcystins.
- MMPB quantification reflects both free and protein-bound microcystins after chemical oxidation.
Main Results:
- Free microcystins were detected in patient serum for over 50 days post-exposure.
- ELISA detected free microcystins as only 8-51% of total microcystin concentrations measured by GC/MS.
- Evidence suggests microcystins circulate in both free and protein-bound forms in human serum.
Conclusions:
- Human serum contains microcystins in both free and protein-bound states following intravenous exposure.
- Free microcystins constitute a small, variable fraction of total serum microcystins.
- Further research is crucial to understand microcystin toxicokinetics and exposure assessment.
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