Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Mushrooms, derived from the Old French word mousseron, are a popular type of fungus.

There are edible (non-toxic) and non-edible (toxic) types.

Historical/Unique exposures

Psilocybin mushrooms produce psychedelic effects.

  • Believed to have been used in early European religious rituals.
  • 1955: Valentina Pavlovna Wasson and R. Gordon Wasson were the first European Americans to participate in mushroom ceremonies.
  • 200 other types of mushrooms can produce psychedelic effecs.

Edible uses:

  • Originally discovered in 1650 by a French melon grower.
  • A fascinating article/timeline of mushroom cultivation/use found here.

Source

Mushrooms help with breaking down materials such as plants, animals, and other food sources.

Typically found around:

  • Decaying trees/plants
  • Animal carcasses
  • Soil
  •  Manure

Biotransformation

Mushrooms, specifically the oyster mushroom (image 2) are actually used as biotransformers.

An article describing the process of oyster mushrooms biotransforming orange waste can be found here.

Toxicokinetics

As stated, there are two types of mushrooms. Toxic and non-toxic.

A link to the toxicological profiles of all types of mushrooms are found here.

Toxicity:

  • the most common cause of toxicity is lack of recognition of toxic mushrooms

Pharmicokinetics/Mechanism of Action:

  • Each mushroom has at least one toxin
  • The mechanism of action is different for each toxin
  • Due to different mechanisms of action, target organs also differ.
  • The mechanism of toxicity (action) for each toxin is also highlighted in the article provided above.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Toxicity

  • Sweating
  • Tearing
  • Drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Shortness of breath

Treatments

Toxicity is treated with atropine.

Systematic treatment is also recommended.

*Physostigmine antidote is specific for muscimol toxicity from Amanita muscaria and Tricholoma muscarium.

Biomarkers

Liver function is heavily targeted by hepatotoxic mushrooms.

Biomarkers for these mushrooms include:

  • aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
  • alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
  • alkaline phosphatase
  • lactic dehydrogenase (LDH

Biomarkers present 36-72 hours after ingestion.

Carcinogenicity

Some mushrooms contain carcinogenic toxins.

These toxins are killed with high temperatures reached when cooking.

 

 

Ethanol

Link

Ethanol is a very commonly used chemical; whether it is at home drinking a nice cold one, or filling up the tank at the gas station. Ethanol is a big part of our everyday lives.

Link

Sources:

Ethanol is also known as ethyl-alcohol because of its chemical composition.

Typically found in:

  • Fuel when mixed with gasoline
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Chemistry labs to wash equipment (purest form)

Ethanol is formed by fermenting different types of starch such as:

  • corn
  • wheat
  • grain
  • barley
  • potatoes

Biotransformation:

Ethanols is developed from different things and can be turned to different things via biotransformation.

  • External fermentation of ethanol via starches for the purpose of use or consumption.
  • Internal fermentation of ethanol in the body via starches.
  • Oxidation of ethanol to form acetaldehyde by NAD+
    • Formation of acetic acid from acetaldehyde

Toxicokinetics:

***the rate of toxicokinetics can vary due to age, gender, weight, etc.

Absporbtion

  • GI tract (small intestine) when ingested
  • Lungs when inhaled
  • Sometimes absorbed by the skin.

Distribution

  • Ethanol is distributed equally throughout the body depending on:
    • the amount of water in that area.
    • blood flow to that area
    • tissue mass

Metabolism:

  • Via the liver

Elimination:

  • Typically via breath, urine, sweat, saliva, feces, and breast milk.

Mechanism of action:

Link

-The mechanism of action of alcohol is increased production of GABA. GABA is an inhibitory neuron and CNS activity is reduced due to the inhibitory effects of GABA.

-Ethanol can also act on the reward pathways by releasing excess amounts of dopamine.

Link

Target organs:

Ethanol primarily targets the brain/central nervous system (CNS).

Signs & Symptoms:

  • confusion
  • vomiting
  • convulsions
  • respiratory depression
  • hypothermia
  • unconsciousness/ coma

*Alcohol poisoning can result in DEATH.

Treatments:

In less severe cases, patients will be monitored until it passes through their system.

In severe cases:

  • Stomach pumping/fluid flushing
  • IV fluids to help with dehydration
  • Insertion of breathing tube
  • Insertion of catheter

Carcinogenicity:

Research strongly shows a relationship between ethanol/alcohol consumption/exposure and cancer. It is classified as a class 1 carcinogen which is very carcinogenic to humans.

Primary types of cancer related to ethanol exposure are:

  • Head and neck
  • Esophageal
  • Liver
  • Breast
  • Colorectal
Link

Genetic Susceptibility/ Heritable Traits:

Ethanol in alcohol

Abuse of Alcohol

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is heavily related to mental health disorders such as:

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • schizophrenia
  • etc.
Link

Historical/Unique Exposures:

In 1920, the United states banned all use, trade, production, etc. of alcoholic beverages. This ban was a constitutional ban referred to in the 18th amendment. In 1933, the ban on alcohol was lifted and prohibition was ended.

Biomarkers:

Production from phase II liver metabolism:

  • ethyl glucuronide
  • ethyl sulfate

Other:

  • Phosphoatidyethanol
  • fatty acid ethyl esters

Essentiality and Deficiency:

Vitamin deficiencies may increase the risk of liver damage caused by ethanol.