Azaspiracid
Agent Name
Azaspiracid
CAS Number
214899-21-5
Formula
C47-H71-N-O12
Major Category
Biological Agents
Synonyms
Azaspiracid-1; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Seafood Toxins
Description
Colorless solid; [HSDB]
Sources/Uses
A toxin from the microalgae of the genus Protoperidinium; Found in contaminated mussels (Mytilus edulis) caught off the coast of Ireland; Causes multiple organ damage; Used in cancer research; [HSDB]
Comments
Causes small intestinal bleeding and other changes to the liver in multiple-dose toxicity testing of mice; [RTECS] Causes symptoms typical of diarrheic shellfish poisoning (diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain), but the toxin is azaspiracid, not okadaic acid or dinophysistoxins; [PMID 18728760] Diarrheic shellfish poisoning is caused by marine dinoflagellates; toxins include okadaic acid, dinophysistoxins, and azaspiracid. Symptoms begin within 30 minutes to 2 hours and include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. [Olson, p. 246-7]
Biomedical References
Adverse Effects
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.