A perspective on the toxicology of marine toxins

Chem Res Toxicol. 2012 Sep 17;25(9):1800-4. doi: 10.1021/tx3001863. Epub 2012 Jun 12.

Abstract

Although there has been much progress with regard to marine toxins from dinoflagellates, much remains to be done. Because these compounds are a seafood consumer risk, the demands cover from legislative to scientific aspects. Legislation is required for all new toxins that appear in the coasts. On the other hand, it is important to understand the toxicity of the different analogues, in terms of both the relative toxicity to reference compounds and the mechanism of toxicity itself, both acute and long-term. For this, a uniform approach to do toxic studies is necessary, especially acute toxicity. The need for pure standards in sufficient supply and the understanding of the mode of action of some of the compounds (such as yessotoxin or azaspiracids) will help the development of another important field, the use of marine toxins as drug leads, and the chemistry around them.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Food Safety
  • Marine Toxins / toxicity*
  • Mice
  • Mollusk Venoms
  • Oxocins / toxicity
  • Risk Assessment
  • Spiro Compounds / toxicity
  • Stomach / drug effects

Substances

  • Marine Toxins
  • Mollusk Venoms
  • Oxocins
  • Spiro Compounds
  • azaspiracid
  • yessotoxin