1
|
Sponseller B, Evans T. Plants Causing Toxic Myopathies. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2024; 40:45-59. [PMID: 38151404 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Boxelder and sycamore maple contain hypoglycin A (HGA), the toxic metabolite of which, MCPA-CoA, inhibits fatty acid β-oxidation, causing seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM) or atypical myopathy (AM), respectively. White snakeroot and rayless goldenrod contain multiple benzofuran ketones (BFKs). The identity/toxicity of BFKs appear variable, possibly involving interactions between toxins/toxic metabolites, but ultimately inhibit cellular energy metabolism. Unthrifty horses grazing sparse pastures during the fall appear predisposed to these plant-associated, frequently fatal, toxic myopathies. Toxidromes are characterized by varying degrees of rhabdomyolysis and cardiac myonecrosis, with plant toxins remaining toxic in hay and being excreted in milk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Sponseller
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1809 South Riverside Drive, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| | - Tim Evans
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and MU Extension, University of Missouri, W226 Veterinary Medicine Building, 1520 East Rollins Street, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Engel AM, El-Khatib AH, Klevenhusen F, Weiss M, Aboling S, Sachse B, Schäfer B, Weigel S, Pieper R, Fischer-Tenhagen C. Detection of Hypoglycin A and MCPrG Metabolites in the Milk and Urine of Pasture Dairy Cows after Intake of Sycamore Seedlings. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023. [PMID: 37419492 PMCID: PMC10360155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Hypoglycin A (HGA), methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPrG), hypoglycin B (HGB), and γ-glutamyl-α-(methylenecyclopropyl) glycine (γ-glutamyl-MCPrG) are secondary plant metabolites occurring in sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) as well as several other Sapindaceae (e.g., Blighia sapida). By interfering with energy metabolism, they may cause severe intoxication in humans and other species. However, to date, there is not enough data available concerning the intake, metabolism, or excretion of sycamore maple toxins in dairy cows. In May 2022, five cows were observed over four days, when they had first access to a pasture with two sycamore maples. Grazing of their seedlings that grew numerously in between the pasture plants was monitored by direct observation. Milk samples were drawn both from individual cows and from the bulk tank. Spontaneous urine samples were collected from all cows on day 3 after access to the pasture. Seedlings (100 g) were sampled on the pasture and analyzed, together with milk and urine samples, for sycamore toxins and their metabolites using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Cows ingested sycamore seedlings while grazing. Values of HGA in milk were below the limit of quantification. However, metabolites of HGA and MCPrG were detected in individual milk samples already at the end of the first day of grazing. Urine samples of all five cows showed higher concentrations of conjugated HGA and MCPrG metabolites than in milk. Observations suggest that dairy cows may have a low susceptibility toward sycamore maple toxins. However, whether this could be attributed to foregut fermenting species in general requires further elucidation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Engel
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ahmed H El-Khatib
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fenja Klevenhusen
- Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
| | - Michael Weiss
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Aboling
- Institute for Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Sachse
- Department Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Schäfer
- Department Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Weigel
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Pieper
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carola Fischer-Tenhagen
- Center for Protection of Laboratory Animals, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 12277 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
El-Khatib AH, Lamp J, Weigel S. A sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of the plant toxins hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine and their metabolites in cow's milk and urine and application to farm milk samples from Germany. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:1933-1942. [PMID: 36877265 PMCID: PMC10050036 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04607-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Hypoglycin A (HGA) and its homologue methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPrG) are present in ackee and lychee as well as seeds, leaves, and seedlings of some maple (Acer) species. They are toxic to some animal species and humans. The determination of HGA, MCPrG, and their glycine and carnitine metabolites in blood and urine is a useful tool for screening for potential exposure to these toxins. In addition, HGA, MCPrG, and/or their metabolites have been detected in milk. In this work, simple and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) methods without derivatization were developed and validated for the quantification of HGA, MCPrG, and their metabolites in cow's milk and urine. An extraction procedure from milk samples has been developed, whereas a dilute-and-shoot approach was implemented for urine samples. For quantification, the MS/MS analysis was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The methods were validated according to the European Union guidelines using blank raw milk and urine as matrices. The limit of quantification presented here for HGA in milk (1.12 µg/L) is noticeably lower than the lowest published limit of detection (9 µg/L). Acceptable values for recovery (89-106% and 85-104% in milk and urine, respectively) and precision (≤ 20%) were obtained for all the quality control levels. The stability of HGA and MCPrG in frozen milk over a period of 40 weeks has been demonstrated. The method was applied to 68 milk samples from 35 commercial dairy farms and showed the absence of any quantifiable amounts of HGA, MCPrG, and their metabolites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H El-Khatib
- Department for Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max‑Dohrn‑Str. 8‑10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Julika Lamp
- Department Safety and Quality of Milk and Fish Products, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Hermann-Weigmann-Str. 1, 24103, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Weigel
- Department for Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max‑Dohrn‑Str. 8‑10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
El-Khatib AH, Engel AM, Weigel S. Co-Occurrence of Hypoglycin A and Hypoglycin B in Sycamore and Box Elder Maple Proved by LC-MS/MS and LC-HR-MS. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:608. [PMID: 36136546 PMCID: PMC9504185 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoglycin A (HGA) and methylenecyclpropylglycine (MCPrG) are formed by some maple trees (Acer species) and have been associated with incidences of atypical myopathy among horses in pastures. In this work, a simple and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method without derivatization was developed for the quantification of HGA and MCPrG in maple samples and validated according to EU guidelines. The LOQ presented here for HGA (16.4 µg/kg) is considerably lower than the lowest published LOQ (500 µg/kg). This method confirms that sycamore and box elder maple contain considerable amounts of HGA and MCPrG. In addition, the presence of the dipeptides hypoglycin B and γ-glutamyl-MCPrG in these two maple species is shown using high-resolution MS. This is the first report on the presence of these dipeptides in maple since 1973. The presence of HGB and γ-glutamyl-MCPrG could change the way we understand animal intoxication following the ingestion of maple.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H. El-Khatib
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Safety in the Food Chain, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Weigel
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Safety in the Food Chain, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Acer pseudoplatanus: A Potential Risk of Poisoning for Several Herbivore Species. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080512. [PMID: 35893754 PMCID: PMC9394473 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acer pseudoplatanus is a worldwide-distributed tree which contains toxins, among them hypoglycin A (HGA). This toxin is known to be responsible for poisoning in various species, including humans, equids, Père David's deer and two-humped camels. We hypothesized that any herbivore pasturing with A. pseudoplatanus in their vicinity may be at risk for HGA poisoning. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed the HGA exposure from A. pseudoplatanus in species not yet described as being at risk. Animals in zoological parks were the major focus, as they are at high probability to be exposed to A. pseudoplatanus in enclosures. We also searched for a toxic metabolite of HGA (i.e., methylenecyclopropylacetyl-carnitine; MCPA-carnitine) in blood and an alteration of the acylcarnitines profile in HGA-positive animals to document the potential risk of declaring clinical signs. We describe for the first instance cases of HGA poisoning in Bovidae. Two gnus (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus) exposed to A. pseudoplatanus in their enclosure presented severe clinical signs, serum HGA and MCPA-carnitine and a marked modification of the acylcarnitines profile. In this study, even though all herbivores were exposed to A. pseudoplatanus, proximal fermenters species seemed less susceptible to HGA poisoning. Therefore, a ruminal transformation of HGA is hypothesized. Additionally, we suggest a gradual alteration of the fatty acid metabolism in case of HGA poisoning and thus the existence of subclinical cases.
Collapse
|
6
|
Sander J, Terhardt M, Janzen N. Severe Inhibition of Long-Chain Acyl-CoA Enoylhydratase (EC 4.2.1.74) in a Newborn Foal Suffering From Atypical Myopathy. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:765623. [PMID: 34765670 PMCID: PMC8576321 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.765623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In horses, congenital defects of energy production from long-chain fatty acids have not been described so far. In contrast, inhibition of fatty acid degradation caused by the toxins hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine from various maple species are observed frequently. These non-proteinogenic aminoacids are passed on placentally to fetuses or with collostrum or milk to newborn foals. Nevertheless, newborn foals become very rarely symptomatic. Vertical transmission apparently is not sufficient to induce clinical disease without a particular genetic constellation being present. One of these rare cases was investigated here using samples from a mare and her foal. Intoxication by hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine is also of interest to human pathology, because these toxins have caused fatal poisonings after consumption of certain fruits many times, especially in children. Maple toxins, their metabolites and some short-chain acyl compounds were quantified by ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. An comprehensive spectrum of long-chain acylcarnitines was prepared using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Organic acids and acylglycines were determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. For evaluation, results of other horses poisoned by maple material as well as unaffected control animals were used. In the serum of the foal, hypoglycin A was detected at a low concentration only. Toxin metabolites reached <3.5% of the mean of a comparison group of horses suffering from atypical myopathy. The spectrum of acylcarnitines indicated enzyme inhibition in short-chain and medium-chain regions typical of acer poisoning, but the measured concentrations did not exceed those previously found in clinically healthy animals after maple consumption. The values were not sufficient to explain the clinical symptoms. In contrast, a remarkably strong enrichment of tetradecenoylcarnitine and hexadecenoylcarnitine was observed. This proves a blockade of the long-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.74). Vertical transfer of maple toxins to a newborn foal is sufficient for induction of clinical disease only if there is an additional specific reactivity to the active toxins. This was found here in an inhibition of long-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase. Isolated dysfunction of this enzyme has not yet been reported in any species. Further studies are necessary to prove a specific genetic defect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sander
- Screening-Labor Hannover, Hanover, Germany.,Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | | | - Nils Janzen
- Screening-Labor Hannover, Hanover, Germany.,Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bochnia M, Ziegler J, Glatter M, Zeyner A. Hypoglycin A in Cow's Milk-A Pilot Study. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13060381. [PMID: 34073628 PMCID: PMC8230099 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13060381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoglycin A (HGA) originating from soapberry fruits (litchi, and ackee) seeds or seedlings from the sycamore maple (SM) tree (related to Sapindaceae) may cause Jamaican vomiting sickness in humans and atypical myopathy in horses and ruminants. A possible transfer into dairy cow’s milk cannot be ruled out since the literature has revealed HGA in the milk of mares and in the offal of captured deer following HGA intoxication. From a study, carried out for another purpose, bulk raw milk samples from four randomly selected dairy farms were available. The cows were pastured in the daytime. A sycamore maple tree was found on the pasture of farm No. 1 only. Bulk milk from the individual tank or milk filling station was sampled in parallels and analyzed for HGA by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Measurable concentrations of HGA occurred only in milk from farm No. 1 and amounted to 120 and 489 nmol/L. Despite low and very variable HGA concentrations, the results indicate that the ingested toxin, once eaten, is transferred into the milk. However, it is unknown how much HGA the individual cow ingested during grazing and what amount was transferred into the bulk milk samples. As a prerequisite for a possible future safety assessment, carry-over studies are needed. Furthermore, the toxins’ stability during milk processing should also be investigated as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Bochnia
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Jörg Ziegler
- Department of Molecular Signal Processing, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Maren Glatter
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Annette Zeyner
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.B.); (M.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-345-5522716
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
González-Medina S, Bevin W, Alzola-Domingo R, Chang YM, Piercy RJ. Hypoglycin A absorption in sheep without concurrent clinical or biochemical evidence of disease. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:1170-1176. [PMID: 33675130 PMCID: PMC7995363 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoglycin A (HGA) intoxication after ingestion of Acer spp. tree material has never been confirmed in domesticated ruminants despite their similar grazing habitats. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether sheep have low HGA bioavailability caused by rumen HGA breakdown. ANIMALS Stomach and rumen fluid samples from 5 adult horses and 5 adult sheep respectively. Residual serum samples from 30 ewes and lambs. METHODS Experimental and retrospective cohort study. Hypoglycin A concentration was quantified in horse gastric and sheep ruminal samples after in vitro incubation with Acer pseudoplatanus seeds. Serum samples from grazing sheep (n = 20) and nursing lambs (n = 10) obtained before and after their release onto pastures with and without Sycamore seedlings were analyzed for HGA and methylenecyclopropyl-acetic acid carnitine, and serum biochemistry. RESULTS Neither ovine rumen nor equine gastric fluid affected HGA content in samples incubated for up to 2 hours. Despite HGA's detection in serum from sheep (n = 13/15; median, 23.71 ng/mL; range, 5.62-126.4 ng/mL) grazing contaminated pastures and in their nursing lambs (n = 2/5; median, 12.5 ng/mL; range, 8.82-15.67 ng/mL), there was no apparent clinical or subclinical disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Any reduced sensitivity to HGA intoxication in sheep seems unrelated to ruminal degradation. Serum HGA concentrations in sheep were similar to those of subclinically affected atypical myopathy horses. Any reduced sensitivity of sheep to HGA might be related to greater metabolic resistance rather than selective grazing habits or lower bioavailability. Hypoglycin A was found in nursing lambs, suggesting that HGA is excreted in milk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia González-Medina
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, London, Colorado, United Kingdom.,Equine Internal Medicine Department, James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - William Bevin
- Oakham Veterinary Hospital, Oakham, Rutland, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Alzola-Domingo
- Oakham Veterinary Hospital, Oakham, Rutland, United Kingdom.,Equine Emergency and Critical Care Department, James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Yu-Mei Chang
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, London, Colorado, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Piercy
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, London, Colorado, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|