Ciguatera, pharmacology

The above-reviewed pharmacological results show some slight discrepancies specially with ciguatoxin. These discrepancies may be explained partly by the variability of the sample purity and partly by the presence in the extracts of secondary toxins. The complex description of the effects observed experimentally can explain the polymorphism of the clinical features. These pharmacological data can help the physician to improvise an appropriate treatment in ciguatera fish poisoning. 

Maitotoxin 35 may play an important role in ciguatera caused by herbivorous fish and presents an extremely potent toxicity against mice the toxin possesses very potent cytotoxicity, ichthyotoxicity, and hemolytic activity. The various pharmacological activities of this toxin are probably due to the stimulation of calcium influx into the cells <1996CHEC-II429, 2000NPR293>. 

Estacion, M. 2000. In Ciguatera Toxins Mechanism of Action and Pharmacology of Maitotoxin, ed. L.M. Botana, pp. 473-503. 

Lewis, R.J., Molgo, J., and Adams, D.J. Ciguatera Toxins Pharmacology of toxins involved in ciguatera and related fish poisonings, in Seafood and Freshwater Toxins Pharmacology, Physiology and Detection, Botana, L.M. Ed., Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 2000, pp. 419-448. 

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