Potential Use of Chemoprotectants against the Toxic Effects of Cyanotoxins: A Review.

Cyanobacterial toxins, particularly microcystins (MCs) and cylindrospermopsin (CYN), are responsible for toxic effects in humans and wildlife. In order to counteract or prevent their toxicity, various strategies have been followed, such as the potential application of chemoprotectants. A review of the main substances evaluated for this aim, as well as the doses and their influence on cyanotoxin-induced toxicity, has been performed.

Contributions of trace elements to the sea by small uncontaminated rivers: Effects of a water reservoir and a wastewater treatment plant.

Trace element contributions from small rivers to estuaries is an issue barely addressed in the literature. In this work, freshwater flowing into the Ria of Cedeira (NW Iberian Peninsula) was studied during a hydrological year through the input from three rivers, one considered uncontaminated (the Das-Mestas River), a second affected by urban treated wastewater discharges (the Condomiñas River), and the third containing a water reservoir for urban supply (the Forcadas River). With the objective of assessing the possible influence of human pressure, the annual yields for selected trace elements (Al, Fe, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni and Pb) were estimated and compared by normalizing by basin surface.

CYN determination in tissues from freshwater fish by LC-MS/MS: validation and application in tissues from subchronically exposed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are occurring in eutrophic freshwater lakes and reservoirs throughout the world and, because of the production of toxins such as cylindrospermopsin (CYN), they can present a public safety hazard through contamination of seafood and fish for human consumption. Therefore it is important to develop methods to determine CYN at trace levels in those organisms. A new method for unconjugated CYN determination in tissues (liver and muscle) of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is herein described and discussed; it is based on solvent extraction and purification with C18 and graphitized carbon cartridges, and quantification by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Marine cyanobacteria compounds with anticancer properties: a review on the implication of apoptosis.

Marine cyanobacteria have been considered a rich source of secondary metabolites with potential biotechnological applications, namely in the pharmacological field. Chemically diverse compounds were found to induce cytoxicity, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. The potential of marine cyanobacteria as anticancer agents has however been the most explored and, besides cytotoxicity in tumor cell lines, several compounds have emerged as templates for the development of new anticancer drugs.

Palytoxin and analogs: biological and ecological effects.

Palytoxin (PTX) is a potent marine toxin that was originally found in soft corals from tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean. Soon after, its occurrence was observed in numerous other marine organisms from the same ecological region. More recently, several analogs of PTX were discovered, remarkably all from species of the dinoflagellate genus Ostreopsis.