Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
10:41
Detection of Toxin Translocation into the Host Cytosol by Surface Plasmon Resonance
Published on: January 3, 2012
Metabolic pathways of T-2 toxin
Vlastimil Dohnal1, Alena Jezkova, Daniel Jun
1Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. dohnal@mendelu.cz
Current Drug Metabolism
|January 29, 2008
Summary
T-2 toxin, a potent mycotoxin in food, is metabolized into toxic compounds. Ruminants show resistance due to microbial degradation, unlike non-ruminants.
Area of Science:
- Food safety and toxicology
- Mycotoxin metabolism
- Animal physiology
Background:
- T-2 toxin is a highly toxic mycotoxin found in food and feed.
- Its metabolites can be as toxic or more toxic than the parent compound.
- Understanding T-2 toxin metabolism is crucial for assessing its health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic fate of T-2 toxin in organisms.
- To identify key T-2 toxin metabolites.
- To compare metabolic pathways between ruminants and non-ruminants.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T-2 toxin and its metabolites in biological samples.
- Characterization of metabolic reactions including hydrolysis, hydroxylation, and oxidation.
- Comparative studies in ruminant and non-ruminant models.
Main Results:
- Identified major metabolites: HT-2 toxin, T-2-triol, T-2-tetraol, 3'-hydroxy-T-2, and 3'-hydroxy-HT-2 toxin.
- Observed significant differences in T-2 toxin metabolism between ruminants and non-ruminants.
- Ruminants exhibit higher resistance due to microbial degradation in the rumen.
Conclusions:
- T-2 toxin undergoes extensive metabolism, producing potentially toxic byproducts.
- Ruminant physiology confers resistance to T-2 toxin toxicity.
- Plant species vary in their ability to resist or metabolize T-2 toxin.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Toxicokinetics: Overview
Studies that assess how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted (ADME) at toxic doses are termed toxicokinetics. Understanding toxicokinetics helps predict adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and manage toxicity in humans.Toxicokinetics differs from pharmacokinetics mainly in the dose levels studied, with toxicokinetics focusing on higher toxic doses. The kinetics at these levels can be non-linear due to altered physiological processes. Toxicodynamics examines the relationship...
01:46Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
01:26Respiration Pathways
Cellular respiration is a fundamental metabolic process that enables organisms to generate energy from organic molecules. One of its central pathways is the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, which plays a crucial role in energy production and biosynthetic processes.Conversion of Pyruvate to Acetyl-CoAThe pyruvate generated from glycolysis undergoes oxidative decarboxylation by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, producing acetyl-CoA, one molecule of NADH, and one...
01:19Phase II Reactions: Miscellaneous Conjugation Reactions
Phase II biotransformations are detoxification mechanisms that conjugate xenobiotics with endogenous substances, neutralizing their toxicity.
A key example involves the conjugation of cyanide ions, which impair cellular respiration and alter hemoglobin into non-oxygen-carrying cyanmethemoglobin. To neutralize this threat, a sulfur atom from thiosulphate is transferred to the cyanide ion, catalyzed by the enzyme rhodanese, resulting in an inactive compound called thiocyanate. The production of...
A key example involves the conjugation of cyanide ions, which impair cellular respiration and alter hemoglobin into non-oxygen-carrying cyanmethemoglobin. To neutralize this threat, a sulfur atom from thiosulphate is transferred to the cyanide ion, catalyzed by the enzyme rhodanese, resulting in an inactive compound called thiocyanate. The production of...
01:27Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
Phase II biotransformation reactions are essential for detoxifying and eliminating xenobiotics, including many pharmaceutical compounds. These reactions typically involve conjugation, the covalent attachment of polar endogenous groups such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, methyl, or acetyl moieties to functional groups introduced during Phase I metabolism. The resulting conjugates are more water-soluble, enabling efficient renal or biliary excretion.The major classes of Phase II enzymes include...
01:36Types of Toxins
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...