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Toxin
in seafood causes kidney damage in mice at levels considered safe for
consumption
Toxin
in seafood causes kidney damage in mice at levels considered safe for
consumption
Date:
February 7,
2014
Source:
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)
Summary:
Domoic acid accumulates in seafood
and is toxic to the brain. Research indicates that the toxin damages kidneys at
concentrations that are 100 times lower than what causes neurological effects.
…………………
A chemical
that can accumulate in seafood and is known to cause brain damage is also toxic
to the kidneys, but at much lower concentrations. The findings, which come from
a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
(JASN), suggest that officials may need to reconsider what levels of the toxin
are safe for human consumption.
The world's
oceans contain algae that produce certain chemicals that can be harmful to
humans and other living creatures. Many of these chemicals are considered
neurotoxins because they cause damage to the brain. The neurotoxin domoic acid,
also called "Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning," is a very stable, heat
resistant toxin that is becoming more prominent in coastal regions, likely due
to environmental changes. It can accumulate in mussels, clams, scallops, and
fish, and the FDA has set a legal limit of domoic acid in seafood based primarily
on its adverse neurological effects.
Because
domoic acid is cleared from the body by the kidneys, P. Darwin Bell, PhD, Jason
Funk, PhD (Medical University of South Carolina), and their colleagues looked
to see if the toxin might also have detrimental effects on these organs. By
giving mice varying doses of domoic acid and the assessing animals' kidney
health, the team found that the kidney is much more sensitive to this toxin
than the brain.
"We
have found that domoic acid damages kidneys at concentrations that are 100
times lower than what causes neurological effects," said Dr. Bell.
"This means that humans who consume seafood may be at an increased risk of
kidney damage possibly leading to kidney failure and dialysis." While the
findings need to be verified in humans, the researchers would like to see
increased awareness and monitoring of domoic acid levels in all seafood. They
say that the FDA may also need to reconsider the legal limit of domoic acid in
food due to its kidney toxicity.
Story Source:
The above
story is based on materials provided by American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Note:
Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal
Reference:
- P. Darwin Bell, PhD, Jason Funk, PhD et al. Characterization of Renal Toxicity in Mice Administered the Marine Biotoxin Domoic Acid. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, February 2014