Publikationen - Molekulare Signalverarbeitung

BackgroundIntestinal absorption of hypoglycin A (HGA) and its metabolism are considered major prerequisites for atypical myopathy (AM). The increasing incidence and the high mortality rate of AM urgently necessitate new therapeutic and/or preventative approaches.ObjectivesTo identify a substance for oral administration capable of binding HGA in the intestinal lumen and effectively reducing the intestinal absorption of the toxin.Study designExperimental in vitro study.MethodsSubstances commonly used in equine practice (activated charcoal composition, di‐tri‐octahedral smectite, mineral oil and activated charcoal) were tested for their binding capacity for HGA using an in vitro incubation method. The substance most effective in binding HGA was subsequently tested for its potential to reduce intestinal HGA absorption. Jejunal tissues of 6 horses were incubated in Ussing chambers to determine mucosal uptake, tissue accumulation, and serosal release of HGA in the presence and absence of the target substance. Potential intestinal metabolism in methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid (MCPA)‐conjugates was investigated by analysing their concentrations in samples from the Ussing chambers.ResultsActivated charcoal composition and activated charcoal were identified as potent HGA binding substances with dose and pH dependent binding capacity. There was no evidence of intestinal HGA metabolism.Main limitationsBinding capacity of adsorbents was tested in vitro using aqueous solutions, and in vivo factors such as transit time and composition of intestinal content, may affect adsorption capacity after oral administration.ConclusionsFor the first time, this study identifies substances capable of reducing HGA intestinal absorption. This might have major implications as a preventive measure in cograzers of AM affected horses but also in horses at an early stage of intoxication.

Jasmonic acid (JA), its methyl ester (MeJA) and the biosynthetic precursor 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA) were detected quantitatively during somatic embryogenesis of Medicago sativa L. Using GC-MS analysis, these compounds were found in initial explants, in calli and in somatic embryos in the nanogram range per gram of fresh weight. In distinct stages of somatic embryogenesis, JA and 12-OPDA accumulated preferentially in cotyledonary embryos. Initial explants exhibited about five-fold higher JA content than OPDA content, whereas in other stages OPDA accumulated predominantly. These data suggest that also in embryogenic tissues OPDA and JA may have individual signalling properties.