Kidney mushrooms

Paxillus syndrome is a food allergy, not a true poisoning. As a consequence, some who eat the mushrooms will not develop symptoms. Symptoms may include colic, vomiting, diarrhea, oliguria or anuria, kidney pain, hemoglobinuria, and renal failure. A hemagglutination test has been used for confirmation (Bresinsky and Besl, 1990). 

Horn S., Horina, J.H., Krejs G.J., Holzer, H. and Ratschek, M. (1997). Endstage renal failure from mushroom poisoning with Cortinarius orellanus report of four cases and review of literature. Am. J. Kidney Dis., 30, 282-286. 

The tertiary natural cholinomimetic alkaloids (pilocarpine, nicotine, lobeline Figure 7-3) are well absorbed from most sites of administration. Nicotine, a liquid, is sufficiently lipid-soluble to be absorbed across the skin. Muscarine, a quaternary amine, is less completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract than the tertiary amines but is nevertheless toxic when ingested—eg, in certain mushrooms—and it even enters the brain. Lobeline is a plant derivative similar to nicotine. These amines are excreted chiefly by the kidneys. Acidification of the urine accelerates clearance of the tertiary amines. 

Other species of amanita are among the deadliest fungi known. Polypeptide-like toxins in Amanita phalloides, or death cup, can prove fatal or at the very least can cause permanent liver and kidney damage. These mushrooms are common in the temperate climates of Europe and North America. They are responsible for the majority of what is called "slow" mushroom poisoning in the U.S. In fact, it was only a few years ago that the local newspaper reported a case of amanita poisoning within SLO county. Mushroom poisoning is known as mycetism. In addition the amanita also contain bufotenine which has CNS effects. See the ASIDE which discusses the peptide poisons. 

Reaction with amine acceptors preferred. Hydrolysis of glutamyl compounds occurs with the transferase from mushrooms 31) and with one type of transpeptidase isolated from kidney 32). However, when suitable amine acceptors are present the hydrolytic reaction is largely suppressed in favor of transfer to the amine. 

Injecting Psilocybe mushroom juice intravenously is not common but it is reported. Most psilocybin users are seeking a natural experience and use of needles is not considered natural. Intravenous injection is the fastest means of getting psilocybin to the brain. In less than 16 seconds, the psilocybin is mixed with the blood, taken to the lungs, returned to the heart, and delivered to the brain. As the natural barriers and buffers of the stomach, small intestine, and liver are bypassed, the chances of overdose and adverse side effects such as coma, convulsions, and kidney failure, are greatly increased. It is even more rare for users to inject psilocybin powder, as this drug is difficult to obtain on the street. Supposed psilocybin powder bought on the street is almost always LSD, PCP, or both. 

The structural formula (Figure 9-23) contains three asymmetric carbon atoms, and eight different stereoisomers are possible. Only the dextrorotatory D-biotin occurs in nature and has biological activity. Biotin occurs in some products in free form (vegetables, milk, and fruits) and in other products is bound to protein (organ meats, seeds, and yeast). Good sources of the vitamin are meat, liver, kidney, milk, egg yolk, yeast, vegetables, and mushrooms (Table 9-27). 

Finally, a group of lectins having a complex, sugar specificity that has yet to be established includes agglutinins from the red kidney-bean (Phaseolus vulgaris),218 the spindle tree(Evonymus europaea L.),217 the scarlet runner-bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.),218 Vicia graminea,219,220 and the meadow mushroom (Agaricus bisporus).221... 

Amino acid acylases have wide distribution in nature. They are found in animal tissues like kidney [1], molds, bacteria, yeast, and its activity is traced in plants including mushrooms. They serve as effective tools in resolution of L-amino acids from DL-amino acid racemic mixtures. L-amino acids are naturally occurring, physiologically active amino acids which are the building blocks of all the proteins. 

Polypore mushroom (Hapalopilus rutilans) has also been reported. Three German patients developed reduced vision, somnolence, weakness with decreased motor tone and activity at least 24 hours after the mushroom meal. Clinical biochemistry measurements found electrolyte imbalances and evidence of liver and kidney damage. These symptoms are probably due to polyporic acid, which inhibits the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and is found in... 

There are about 5000 mushroom species (Figure 10) of which about 50 to 100 are known to be poisonous to man and about 200 to 300 varieties are believed to be edible. As the consequences of eating unidentified mushrooms can be so drastic (Table 1) and as in most cases we do not have much to offer therapeutically except liver or kidney transplantation for severe cases, any toxicologist would advise prudence rather than experimental oral administration ... 

Kidneys and livers from swine, cattle and sheep, most mushrooms, some baked goods with blue poppy seeds Wheat, wheat flour, wheat bread, bran, potatoes, root and foliage vegetables, rice, shrimp... 

Mushrooms from Psilocybe and Panaeolus species contain psilocybin and related derivatives of tryptamine that cause short-lasting hallucinations. Gyromitra species (false morels) produce G1 disorders and a delayed hepatotoxicity. The toxic substance, acetaldehyde methylformylhydra-zone, is converted in the body to reactive hydrazines. Although fatalities from liver and kidney failure have been reported, they are far less frequent than with amatoxin-containing mushrooms. 

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