Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of toxins derived from Fusarium moniliforme. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of cultures of Fusarium moniliforme that contain significant amounts of fumonisins. There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of fumonisin B1. Overall evaluation: Toxins derived from Fusarium moniliforme are possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). /Toxins derived from Fusarium moniliforme/
IDENTIFICATION: Fumonisin B1 is the most prevalent of the fumonisins and produced by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme and other F. species. The pure substance is a white hygroscopic powder and is soluble in water, acetonitrile-water and methanol. The material is stable at food processing temperatures and light. Fumonisin B1 is the most common fungal metabolite associated with maize. Significant accumulation in maize occurs when weather conditions favor kernel rot. HUMAN EXPOSURE: There are no confirmed records of acute toxicity associated with this compound. Available correlation studies suggest a link between dietary exposure and esophageal cancer. Other studies are inconclusive as to the potential carcinogenicity of Fumonisin B1. ANIMAL/PLANT STUDIES: Fumonisin B1 is hepatotoxic in all animal species tested including mice, rats, equids, pigs, rabbits and non-human primates. With the exception of Syrian hamsters, embryotoxicity or teratogenicity is only observed concurrent with or subsequent to maternal toxicity. Fumonisins are nephrotoxic in pigs, rats, sheep, mice and rabbits. In rats and rabbits, renal toxicity occurs at lower doses than hepatotoxicity. The fumonisins are known to cause equine leukoencephalomalacia and porcine pulmonary edema syndrome. It is hepatocarcinogenic to male rats in one strain and nephrocarcinogenic in another strain. Fumonisin B1 is a specific inhibitor of de novo sphingolipid metabolism. This compound inhibits cell growth and causes accumulation of free sphingoid bases and alteration of lipid metabolism in animals, plants and in some yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisae. It did not induce gene mutations in bacteria or unscheduled DNA synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes, but induced a dose dependent increase in chromosomal aberrations at low concentrations. This compound is phytotoxic, damages cell membranes and reduces chlorophyll synthesis. This compound is poorly absorbed when dosed orally based on studies using pigs, laying hens and Vervet monkeys and it is rapidly eliminated from the plasma or circulation and recovered in the feces; biliary excretion is important; enterohepatic cycling is important in some animals. Small amounts are excreted in the urine, and some is retained in the liver and kidney.[
/SRP:/ Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in respiratory arrest. Positive pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start an IV with D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. Watch for signs of fluid overload. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam (Valium) ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Poison A and B/
/SRP:/ Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway. Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if needed. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with normal saline during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Poison A and B/
PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Whenever medical surveillance is indicated, in particular when exposure to a carcinogen has occurred, ad hoc decisions should be taken concerning ... /cytogenetic and/or other/ tests that might become useful or mandatory. /Chemical Carcinogens/
Fumonisin B1 (FB1), the major compound in the fumonisin group of secondary metabolites of Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon, is associated with some human and animal diseases. After intraperitoneal dosing to rats (7.5 mg/kg), FB1 was rapidly absorbed and reached a maximum concentration in plasma within 20 min after injection. Thereafter, it underwent rapid removal from plasma, displaying a mono-exponential elimination phase that fitted a one-compartment model with a half-life of 18 min. Collection of 24- and 48-hr urine samples indicated that only 16% of the applied dose was eliminated unmetabolized in urine, all within the first 24-hr period following dosing. In contrast to this, a similar dose of FB1 given by gavage resulted in the recovery of only 0.4% of the FB1 in urine.
Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolite of the fungus Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon, was administered either by i.v. injection or by gavage to vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). FB1 dosed by i.v. injection to two female vervet monkeys was rapidly eliminated from plasma with a mean half-life during the elimination phase of 40 min. Analysis of urine and faeces over a 5 day period after dosing gave an average 47% recovery of the dose as FB1 and its hydrolysed analogues. Two female vervet monkeys were given a single gavage dose of 14C-labelled FB1. During the subsequent 3 day period, faecal excretion of radioactivity accounted for an average of 61% of the administered dose and urinary excretion 1.2%. Residual radioactivity was recovered in low levels from skeletal muscle (1%), liver (0.4%), brain (0.2%), kidney, heart, plasma, red blood cells and bile (each 0.1%), while the contents of the intestines accounted for a further 12% of the radioactive dose. In total, 76% of the administered radioactivity was recovered. Analysis of the faeces, intestinal contents and urine indicated that over 90% of the radioactivity in these samples was due to FB1 and its hydrolysis products.
A method has been developed for the determination of fumonisin B1 (FB1) in the feces of non-human primates (vervet monkeys). The animals were dosed with 14C-labelled FB1, and the radioactive compounds in faeces were recovered by repeated extractions with 0.1 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The extracts were cleaned-up on a reversed-phase (C18) solid-phase extraction cartridge, and FB1 was determined by o-phthaldialdehyde derivatization and reversed-phase HPLC. The analytical method for the determination of FB1 in the fecal extracts was reproducible [2.6% relative standard deviation (RSD)] and accurate (recovery from spiked blank extracts of 93 +/- 2.9% RSD). Confirmation of the identification of FB1 in faeces was achieved using HPLC and thin-layer chromatography, which showed that the radioactivity extracted corresponded mainly to FB1 and a new metabolite with chromatographic properties similar to those of the mycotoxin. The new metabolite was identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to be an equilibrium mixture of the two structural isomers of partially hydrolysed FB1, which are formed by hydrolysis of one of the ester groups of the mycotoxin.
The mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) causes a variety of health problems in animals, while epidemiological evidence suggests it is linked to human esophageal cancer. We investigated the carry-over of FB1 into bovine milk using the isolated perfused bovine udder. Two mg of FB1 was injected into the perfusion blood of 3 udders, and milk and perfused serum levels were determined for 150 min. FB1 passed through the mammary barrier into the milk, but in such low concentrations as to present a negligible risk for consumers.