Human studies functional group metabolism

Ex vivo studies have revealed that trichothecenes can both inhibit and stimulate leukocyte function.12 For example, trichothecenes are toxic to alveolar macrophages,13 but drive differentiation of human myeloid leukemic cells.14 Dose-dependent decreases or increases in B- and T-cell mitogen responses are observable in lymphocytes from animals exposed to T-2 toxin, DON, or various macrocyclic trichothecenes these toxins similarly impair or enhance mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.12 Rank order of inhibitor potency in rodent and human lymphocyte proliferation assays is Type D > Type A group > Type B group and is dependent on degree of acylation as well as of uptake and metabolism. 

Other risk groups are various stress groups since ascorbate fulfills a function in the biosynthesis of corticosteroids and other hormones. Such studies are planned but because of the nature of the experimental setup, they are not easily carried out. Other groups of potential interest are alcoholics, obese people, and certain diseased or injured patients where the metabolic handling of ascorbate may be widely different from that of normal humans. 

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