International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences (ISSN 2226-9614)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
VOLUME 25(19) (2024)
Effect of poisoning with tetrodotoxin extracted from the fish Takifugu Porphyreus on the behavior of rats
Ettoubi Elmokhtar1,2*,Akif Fouad2,3,Genten Franck4,Blaghen Mohamed1,Bennis Faïza1,Chegdani Fatima1
1Laboratory of Immunology & Biodiversity, Hassan II University of Casablanca: Faculty of Sciences, Ain Chock, Km 8 Route d’ElJadida, B.P 5366 Maarif 20100, Casablanca 20000, Morocco
2Centre Régional des Métiers de l’Éducation et de la Formation Souss Massa, B.P. 106 My. Abdellah Av. Inezegane, Morocco
3Faculty of Medicine, Free University of Brussels, 808 Route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
4Laboratoire de BiopathologieVétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 808 Route de Lennik, 1070Bruxelles, Belgique
Abstract
Food poisoning from pufferfish consumption poses a significant food safety risk, particularly with Takifugu Porphyreus, highly toxic due to its tetrodotoxin (TTX) content, known for blocking Voltage-Dependent Sodium Channels (VGSC), leading to poisoning and potential fatality. Despite health risks, this fish is illegally sold in Morocco. This study aims to assess the impact of Takifugu Porphyreus consumption on neurotoxicity and physical development using a rat model.Four groups of adult male Rattus norvegicus were force-fed TTX extracted from T. Porphyreus. Groups included one control (n=10, receiving distilled water), two sub-chronic treatment groups (n=10 each) for 21 days with doses of 4.56 and 9.12 mg/kg/day, and one acute treatment group (n=10) with a single exposure to the highest dose. Doses were determined post TTX extraction and quantification from various fish organs using HPLC and LC-MS/MS. The chosen doses in this study aim to mimic real consumption conditions, taking into account the contamination levels observed in pufferfish sold on the market. The results showed the highest concentration of TTX in the gonads of the fish, followed by the liver, flesh, and viscera, with an average of 9.12 mg/kg. Treated rats exhibited reduced weight gain, severe diarrhea, decreased locomotor activity, anxiolytic and depressive behaviors, and memory disorders, assessed through behavioral tests including the Rotarod, elevated plus maze, tail suspension, and novel object recognition. This study underscores the toxic potential of TTX in this fish, emphasizing the need for enhanced dietary monitoring.
Keywords:Takifugu Porphyreus, Tetrodotoxin, Fish extracts, Food poisoning, Marine toxin.
Full length article *Corresponding Author, e-mail: elmokhtar10bio@gmail.com Doi # https://doi.org/10.62877/50-IJCBS-24-25-19-50