Ochratoxin A

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Contents 1 Chemical Data 2 Summary of Evaluation 2.1 Exposure Data 2.2 Human Carcinogenicity Data 2.3 Animal Carcinogenicity Data 2.4 Impact on Animal Health 2.5 Other Relevant Data 2.6 Evaluation 3 Overall Evaluation Summary 4 Synonym

[edit] Chemical Data

This chemical belongs to the Toxicology category.

CAS No.: 303-47-9

Chem. Abstr. Name:

L-Phenylalanine, N-[(5-chloro-3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-7-yl)-carbonyl]-, R)-

[edit] Summary of Evaluation

[edit] Exposure Data

Ochratoxin A is produced by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum. Human exposure occurs mainly through consumption of contaminated grain and pork products, as confirmed by detection of ochratoxin A in human blood and milk.

[edit] Human Carcinogenicity Data

A number of descriptive studies have suggested a correlation between exposure to ochratoxin A and Balkan endemic nephropathy and have found a correlation between the geographical distribution of Balkan endemic nephropathy and a high incidence of and mortality from urothelial urinary tract tumours. In the only study in which ochratoxin A was measured, levels were higher in the blood of patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy and/or urothelial urinary tract tumours than in unaffected people; no distinction was made between the two diseases.

[edit] Animal Carcinogenicity Data

Ochratoxin A was tested for carcinogenicity by oral administration in mice and rats. It increased the incidence of hepato-cellular tumours in mice of each sex and produced renal-cell adenomas and carcinomas in male mice and in rats of each sex.

[edit] Impact on Animal Health

Ochratoxin-contaminated feed has its major economic impact on the poultry industry.

Chickens, turkeys and ducklings are susceptible to this toxin.

Clinical signs of avian ochratoxicosis are similar to other toxins and generally involve reduction in weight gains, poor feed conversion, reduced egg production, poor egg shell quality and kidney poisoning.

Acute toxicity does not seem to constitute a problem in cattle.

[edit] Other Relevant Data

Ochratoxin A caused renal toxicity, nephropathy and immunosuppression in several animal species.

No adequate data were available on the genetic and related effects of ochratoxin A in humans. It induces DNA damage in rodents in vivo and in rodent cells in vitro. Ochratoxin A affects kidney function.

[edit] Evaluation

There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of ochratoxin A.

There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of ochratoxin A.

[edit] Overall Evaluation Summary

Ochratoxin A is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

[edit] Synonym

   * (-)-N-[(5-Chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-7-isochromanyl)carbonyl]-3-phenylalanine