Neural injury biomarkers of novel shellfish toxins, spirolides: a pilot study using immunochemical and transcriptional analysis.

In 1991, routine biotoxin monitoring of bivalve molluscs at aquaculture sites along the eastern shore of Nova Scotia, Canada revealed a group of novel seafood toxins called spirolides, whose origin was the dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii. Result from this preliminary study in rodents demonstrates a highly toxic lethal response in rats and mice after intraperitoneal injections of lipophilic extracts. To elucidate the modes of action and toxicologic pathology, brain and internal organs were examined by histology and various biomarkers of neural injury were monitored by immunohistochemistry (IH) and/or transcriptional analysis.