Ergot alkaloids toxicity

Schneider, D. J., Miles, C. O., Garthwaite, L, Vanttalderen, A., Wessels, J. C. and Lategan, H. J. 1996. First report of field outbreaks of ergot-alkaloid toxicity in South Africa. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 63(2) 97-108. 

Unlabeled Uses Treatment of ergot alkaloid toxicity, pheochromocytoma, Raynaud s phenomenon... 

Several chemical compounds may cause inflammation or constriction of the blood vessel wall (vasoconstriction). Ergot alkaloids at high doses cause constriction and thickening of the vessel wall. Allylamine may also induce constriction of coronary arteries, thickening of their smooth muscle walls, and a disease state that corresponds to coronary heart disease. The culprit is a toxic reactive metabolite of allylamine, acrolein, that binds covalently to nucleophilic groups of proteins and nucleic acids in the cardiac myocytes. 

In spite of their significant toxicities, ergot alkaloids are still widely used in patients with migraine headache or pituitary dysfunction, and occasionally in the postpartum patient. 

Other toxic effects of the ergot alkaloids include drowsiness and, in the case of methysergide, occasional instances of central stimulation and hallucinations. In fact, methysergide was sometimes used as a substitute for LSD by members of the "drug culture."... 

St Anthony s Fire Ergotism or toxicity from ingesting ergot alkaloids with cerebrospinal symptoms, spasms, cramps, and gangrene in the extremities. 

Ergot Alkaloids.—The two toxic, chlorine-containing metabolites earlier obtained from Penicillium islandicum found growing on freshly dug green peanuts are accompanied by two non-chlorinated analogues, identified35 as rugulovasines A... 

Ergot alkaloids Increased risk of ergot toxicity, severe vasospasm, and ischemia... 

VORICONAZOLE ERGOT ALKALOIDS -ERGOTAMINE t ergotamine/methysergide levels, with risk of toxicity Inhibition of metabolism of the ergot derivatives Avoid co-administration. If absolutely necessary, advise patients to discontinue treatment immediately if numbness and tingling of the extremities are felt... 

CIMETIDINE ERGOT ALKALOIDS t ergotamine/methysergide levels, with risk of toxicity Inhibition of metabolism via CYP3A4 Avoid co-administration... 

Gunatilaka AA. Natural products from plant-associated microorganisms distribution, structural diversity, bioactivity, and imph-cations of their occurrence. J. Nat. Prod. 2006 69 509-526. Porter JK. Ergot alkaloids and alkaloids from other endophytes, responsible for causing toxic syndrome in cattle after eating contaminated grass. Prikl. Biokhim. Mikrobiol. 1993 29 51-55. Porter JK. Analysis of endophyte toxins fescue and other grasses toxic to livestock. J. Anim. Sci. 1995 73 871-880. 

Fiserova A, Kfen V, Aug C, Sima P, Pospisil M (1995) Ergot alkaloid derivatives with immunomodulatory activities. Proceedings of the International Conference on Experimental, Therapeutic and Toxic Manipulations of Host Defence Systems. June 12-15,1995 Hradec Krtllove, Czech Rep. p 67... 

There is some evidence that both vincristine and doxorubicin are more often associated with ischemic heart disease than other cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Whether drug-induced platelet activation, altered clotting, or endovascular damage are responsible for vascular toxicity is still unclear. The risk of ischemic heart disease must therefore be kept in mind when patients receive a combination of doxorubicin and vincristine, especially when potential risk factors have been identified. Whether the structural similarity between vinca alkaloids and ergot alkaloids, which are vasospastic, is relevant is highly speculative. 

---