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Imprint
Investigation of the in vitro metabolism of pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Project
Project code: BfR-SiN-08-1322-551
Contract period: 01.01.2013
- 31.12.2013
Purpose of research: Applied research
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary plant compounds mostly found in the family of asteraceae, boraginaceae and fabaceae. Due to the global distribution of these plants PA, food and feed could be contaminated. PA poisoning via those contamination causes severe damage to the liver. Animal studies revealed that PAs are carcinogenic. The mutagenicity of PAs was observed in several in vitro and in vivo test systems. Further it could be demonstrated that toxicity depends on structural properties as for instance the PA is a monoester, open chained diester or cyclic diester. Highest toxicity could be observes for cyclic diesters.
It is well known, that the toxicity of these compounds is associated with enzymatic reactions by enzymes dominantly expressed in the liver. Suggestion concerning PA metabolism can be found in literature but detailed investigations to clarify the question if difference in toxicity can be deduced to different metabolites build by monoester, open chained diester of cyclic diester are still open.
Results of SOFO “Determination of PA in food and feed” revealed that herbal teas often contain high concentration of PA, especially of the monoester and open chained diester type. Identification of PA-metabolites of mono- and diesters is an important step towards a reliable assessment of those results.
Section overview
Subjects
- Physiology of Nutrition
- Toxicology
