Citrinin mycotoxicosis in the mouse

Abstract

Citrinin was mixed in a purified diet for feeding to mice or was dissolved in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or in equal parts of dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and 50% ethanol (EtOH) for administration by the ip, sc and oral routes. The single-dose LD 50 values determined in male mice at 72 hr for citrinin dissolved in DMSO-50%EtOH were 58, 73 and 112 mg/kg for the ip, sc and oral routes, respectively. The ip and oral LD 50 values in male mice given citrinin dissolved in 0.5 n-NaOH were 80 and 105 mg/kg, respectively. The ip LD 50 values for female mice given citrinin dissolved in DMSO-50% EtOH and in 0.5 n-NaOH were 62 and 87 mg/kg, respectively. The death rate and pathological changes produced by a single dose of citrinin were not made more severe by multiple doses. Lesions were confined to the kidney and included renal tubular dilatation, the presence of protein and protein casts within the lumen of the renal tubules, slight to moderate necrosis of the renal cortical tubular epithelium and a slight increase in mitotic activity in the medullary tubular epithelium. Citrinin dissolved in DMSO and 50% EtOH retained its biological activity when stored in a refrigerator for 1 month, but activity was lost when the citrinin solution was heated to 90°C for 10 min.