Ergot alkaloid induces mitochondrial injury

It has been demonstrated that some mycotoxins are capable of causing life-threatening effects. Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins produced by fungi of the species Claviceps purpurea as secondary metabolites. Ergotamine have been commonly used drug for migraine headaches. In this study we investigated hepatocyte lysis and mitochondrial membrane potential injury, as toxicity markers in the ergotamine-treated rat hepatocytes using accelerated cytotoxicity mechanism screening (ACMS). On the base of our results it was revealed that ergotamine induced hepatotoxicity in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes in dose dependent manner. Ergotamine potentiate mitochondrial membrane drop. It is concluded that oxidative stress ensued as a result of ergotamine toxicity and mitochondrial injury play akey role in the ergotamine-induced oxidative stress.

Keywords:

Ergot alkaloids , Ergotamine , oxidative stress , mitochondrial injury ,