Our study aimed to determine the cardiac toxicities of T-2 toxin, a representative mycotoxin that frequently contaminates maize, cereals, and other agricultural products, harvested and stored under damp and cold conditions. Dermal exposure to T-2 toxin caused severe cardiotoxicity in experimental Wistar rats. Electrocardiography studies showed the conduction abnormalities including prolongation of the QT and corrected QT interval, shortening of the PR interval, and tachycardia. Biochemical studies also reported the toxicity of T-2 toxin. T-2 toxin induced acute cardiotoxicity in rats and characterized by significant (p < 0.05) elevation of serum troponin I, creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme MB, CK isoenzyme NAC, and lactate dehydrogenase as compared to control rats. It is concluded that cardiotoxicity effects of T-2 toxin are thought to be due to direct action on electrocardiac potentials and biochemical changes.
ChanPKGentryPA (1984) LD50 values and serum biochemical changes induced by T-2 toxin in rats and rabbits. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology73: 402–410.
2.
ChaudhuryMRaoPV (2010) Brain oxidative stress after dermal and subcutaneous exposure of T-2 toxin in mice. Food and Chemical Toxicology48: 3436–3442.
3.
CieglerA (1978) Fungi that produces mycotoxins: conditions and occurrence. Mycopathologia65: 5–11.
4.
Congressional Special Report. Chemical warfare in Southeast Asia and Afghanistan. Report to the Congress from Secretary of State Alexander M Haig Jr. Report no 98, 22 March 1982. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs.
5.
DänickeSMatthesSHalleIUeberscharKHDollSValentaH (2003) Effects of graded levels of Fusarium toxin contaminated wheat and of a detoxifying agent in broiler diets on performance nutrient digestibility and blood chemical parameters. British Poultry Science44: 113–126.
6.
FeuersteinGPowellJAKnowerATHunterKW (1982) Monoclonal antibodies to T-2 toxin in vitro neutralization of protein synthesis inhibition and protection of rats against lethal toxemia. Journal of Clinical Investigation76: 2134–2138.
7.
GrizzleMKerstenDBMcCrackenMDHoustonAESaxtonAM (2004) Determination of the acute 50% lethal dose T-2 toxin in adult bobwhite quail: additional studies on the effect of T-2 mycotoxin on blood chemistry and the morphology of internal organs. Avian Diseases48: 329–339.
8.
HoehlerDMarquardtRR (1988) Free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation induced by T-2 toxin in yeast (Kluyveromycesmarxianus). Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry9: 370–379.
9.
Howard-AlpeGMSearJWFoexP (2006) Methods of detecting atherosclerosis in non-cardiac surgical patients the role of biochemical markers. British Journal of Anaesthesia97: 758–769.
10.
JoffeAZ (1978) Fusarium Poae and F. sporotrichioides as principal causal agents of alimentary toxic aleukia. In: TDWylleIGMorehouse (eds) Mycotoxic Fungi Mycotoxins Mycotoxicoses: An Encyclopedic Handbook. Vol. 3. New York: Marcel Dekker, pp. 21–86.
11.
KatzRSingerB (2007) Can an attribution assessment be made for Yellow Rain? Systematic reanalysis in a chemical-and-biological-weapons use investigation. Politics and the Life Sciences26: 24–42.
12.
LorenzanaRMBeasleyVRBuckWBGhentAWLubdeenGRPoppengaRH (1985) Experimental T-2 toxicosis in swine I changes in cardiac output aortic mean pressure catecholamine’s 6-keto-PGF1 alpha thromboxane B2 and acid-base parameters. Fundamental and Applied Toxicology5: 879–892.
13.
MartinDGCreasiaDParkerGW (1985) Effect of intra-tracheal T-2 mycotoxin on respiratory gas exchange in the rat. Toxicologist5: 234–237.
14.
PangVFLambertRJFelsburgPJBeasleyVRBuckWBHaschekWM (1987) Experimental T-2 toxicosis in swine following inhalation exposure: effects on pulmonary and systemic immunity and morphologic change. Toxicologic Pathology15: 308–319.
15.
ReginaSAbrahamZJBorisY (1979) Cardiovascular lesions and various tumors found in rats given T-2 toxin a trichothecene metabolite of Fusarium. Cancer Research39: 2179–2189.
16.
RizzoAFAtroshiFAhotupaMSankariSElovaaraE (1994) Protective effect of antioxidants against free radical mediated lipid peroxidation induced by DON or T-2 toxin. Journal of Veterinary Medicine41: 81–90.
17.
RosenRTRosenJD (1982) Presence of four Fusarium mycotoxins and synthetic material in “YeIlow Rain”. Biomedical Mass Spectrometry9: 443–450.
18.
RukminiCPrasadJSRaoK (1980) Effects of feeding T-2 toxin to rats and monkeys. Food and Cosmetics Toxicology50: 267–269.
SuraiPFDvorskamYE (2005) Effects of mycotoxins on antioxidant status and immunity. In: DDiaz (ed) The Mycotoxin Blue Book. UK: Nottingham University Press, pp. 93–137.
21.
VilaBJaradatZWMarquardtRRFrohlichAA (2002) Effect of T-2 toxin on in vivo lipid peroxidation and vitamin E status in mice. Food and Chemical Toxicology40: 479–486.
22.
WilsonCAEverardDMSchoentalR (1982) Blood pressure changes and cardiovascular lesions found in rats given T-2 toxin a trichothecene secondary metabolite of certain Fusarium microfungi. Toxicology Letters10: 35–40.
23.
YaromRHasinYRazSSarelOYagenB (1983) T-2 toxin effect on isolated perfused rat hearts. Basic Research in Cardiology78: 623–630.
