Application of Macromolecular Synthesis Measurements in Mycotoxin Toxicity Studies

For a number of years an important aspect of work* in our laboratory has been the utilization of in vitro and in vivo measurements of macromolecular synthesis and related phenomena as biochemical indices of the toxicity of food-related substances. The relevancy of studies involving mycotoxins in this regard was particularly apparent because for many, if not most, of these chemicals their biological potency is matched by their appreciable effect at low concentrations on the metabolism of nucleic acid or proteins. Because of their potent biochemical activity, e.g., T-2 toxin inhibits protein synthesis at a concentration of 10-8M or a fraction of a nanogram per milliter,53 often at levels where cell damage is not discernible, and because of the relative ease with which macromolecular synthesis measurements can be carried out, we have a technique that can be applied readily to exploring factors, such as diet, other chemicals, and physiological stress that may regulate the acute and, most importantly, the chronic toxicity of these compounds. An example of this approach was presented by Moule et al. where the authors reported on the differential effects of phenobarbital in modifying the aflatoxin (AFBl) induced inhibition of transcription in mice and rats.52