Question Of The Day

To date, the mechanism by which tetrodotoxin (TTX) accumulates in the food chain is controversial. What are the most popular theories? The most popular theories suggest that TTXs are either produced by symbiotic bacteria (endogenous route), or that they are exogenously accumulated through the diet….

Pufferfish are the most notorious tetrodotoxin  (TTX) source. The presence of TTX has been reported in what other species? TTX was believed to exist exclusively in pufferfish, until the mid-1960s, when the eggs of the California newt Taricha torosa were discovered to contain TTX. Since…

Tetrodotoxin is found mainly in what organs of puffer fish species? Many pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae possess a potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX). In general, the highest TTXs concentrations are found in the gonads, liver, and gastrointestinal tract, followed by muscle and skin. In marine…

What is the principal protoalkaloid constituent in Citrus aurantium (bitter orange)? p-Synephrine. The extract of the immature fruit or peel of Citrus aurantium and its principal protoalkaloidal constituent, p-synephrine, are used widely in weight management and weight loss as well as in sports performance products….

High dose cisplatin for chemotherapy has been associated with nephrotoxicity and otoxicity. What is the proposed mechanism for ototoxicity? Ototoxicity may be caused by cisplatin-induced degeneration of the hair cells of the cochlea and is related to both cumulative and individual cisplatin dose. In the…

What law was passed by Congress in 1974 (and amended in 1986 and 1996) to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply? The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This law requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources. The…

What is the most toxic part of the poison hemlock plant? All parts of poison-hemlock (leaves, stem, fruit, and root) are poisonous. Leaves are especially poisonous in the spring, up to the time the plant flowers. https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/logan-ut/poisonous-plant-research/docs/poison-hemlock-conium-maculatum/

What is the main toxin contained in poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)? Coniine is the most potent of the eight nicotinic alkaloids found in C. maculatum. These alkaloids are selective nicotinic-type acetylcholine receptor agonists that have effects on both the autonomic and skeletal muscles. Li K,…

What is the most toxic part of the water hemlock plant? The tubers contain the highest concentration of cicutoxin, with little cicutoxin found in the above ground parts and are reported to be the most toxic plant part. The stems and leaves of mature plants…

What is the main toxin contained in water hemlock (Cicuta maculata and Cicuta.douglasii)? Cicutoxin. The proposed mechanism of action of cicutoxin is from its action as a noncompetitive gamma aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor antagonist in the central nervous system. Welch KD, Stonecipher CA, Lee ST,…