ニバレノール
The subchronic toxicity was tested by feeding mice with a daily dose of 0 to 3.5 mg nivalenol/ kg bw for 4 or 12 weeks. The observations after 4 weeks were reduced body weight and food consumption. The reduction in body weight can be explained by statistical decrease in organ weight in thymus, spleen and kidneys. Whereas the consumption time was less for female mice in comparison to male mice. After 12 weeks the toxin consumption resulted in reduction of relative organ weight in both males and females. Hereby only the liver was affected and no histopathological changes were observed.
The Russian government however refuses to give a statement on these pieces of evidence. Furthermore, it has been shown that samples taken on the location of attacks contain these toxins, while sites that have not been attacked do not show any signs of toxins in them.
Even though it remains questionable if all witness reports are reliable sources of evidence, the symptoms recorded are typical for intoxication with trichothecenes.
There was a number of ways in which trichothecenes were weaponized, such as dispersion as aerosol, smoke, droplets or dust from aircraft, missiles, handheld devices or artillery.
The toxicity of nivalenol in humans is for the most parts unknown yet, but it was investigated in mice, rats and hamster cells. Thereby the toxicity was divided in the following topics: acute/subacute, subchronic, chronic and carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, developmental toxicity studies and studies on reproduction, immunotoxicity/hematotoxycity and effects on nervous system.
ニバレノール(Nivalenol,NIV)はトリコテセン類のマイコトキシンである。自然界では主にFusarium 種の真菌に含まれている。Fusarium 種は、北半球の温帯地域で最も一般的なマイコトキシン生産菌に属しており、そのため、食用作物生産産業にとって大きなリスクとなっている。
この真菌は、さまざまな農産物(穀物)やその加工品(麦芽、ビール、パン)に多く含まれている。Fusarium 種は農作物に侵入して成長し、湿った涼しい環境下でニバレノールを生成する可能性がある。
ニバレノールの影響を受けた後に観察される症状は、飼料拒否、嘔吐、胃腸や皮膚の炎症や壊死、免疫機能障害であり、また、白血球数低下をもたらす血液毒である。