ECOLOGICAL BIOCHEMISTRY - Study Guide - V. M. Isaenko 2005

Chapter 7. EFFECTS OF MUSHROOM TOXINS ON HUMANS

7.1. General characteristics of human mushroom poisoning syndromes

Most poisonous mushrooms cause relatively mild, short-lived illnesses, primarily manifested as gastrointestinal disorders. However, some species cause severe poisonings, even with fatal outcomes. Below are the main syndromes (symptoms) of Mushroom poisoning.

Consciousness impairment syndrome. Caused by the direct effect of the toxin on the functional activity of the Brain, as well as impaired cerebral Circulation and oxygen deficiency (Hypoxia).

Respiratory impairment syndrome. Observed during the suppression of the respiratory center and paralysis of Respiratory Muscles. Severe respiratory damage occurs As a result of pulmonary edema and airway obstruction.

Blood damage syndrome. Inactivation of Hemoglobin, reduction of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Circulatory impairment syndrome. Disorders of The Cardiovascular system: suppression of the vasomotor center and adrenal function, increased vascular permeability, etc.

Thermoregulation disorder syndrome. Changes in body Temperature as a result of disrupted metabolic processes and energy conversion, impaired oxygen supply to the brain, etc.

Seizure syndrome. In cases of severe poisoning, seizures occur as a consequence of oxygen starvation of the brain or the specific action of the toxin on the Central Nervous system.

Mental disorder syndrome. Occurs due to the selective action of toxins on the central nervous system.

Liver and Kidney damage syndrome. Occurs due to the direct action of toxins, toxic metabolic products, or tissue breakdown products.

Water-electrolyte balance and acid-base equilibrium disorder syndrome. When the Functions of the digestive and excretory systems, as well as secretory Organs, are impaired, dehydration of the Organism and shifts in metabolic processes in Tissues occur, etc.

Mushroom species that produce toxins are divided into three groups according to their physiological effects on humans. The first group consists of mushrooms with gastroenterotropic action. The clinical picture of poisoning by these mushrooms is characterized by symptoms of gastroenteritis: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes fainting. Symptoms appear 1 to 2 hours after consuming the mushrooms. This group includes certain species of the genus Agaricus, in particular Agaricus xanthodermus, Agaricus meleagris, etc.; certain species of the genus Tricholoma: Tricholoma albobmnneum, Tricholoma pardium, Entoloma lividum, Hypholoma sublateritium, and many other mushrooms, including russulas (Russula). Mushrooms of this group become edible after 10 to 15 minutes of boiling and draining the broth.

The second group comprises mushrooms with a pronounced neuro-vegetotropic effect on The Nervous System. It includes mushrooms containing muscarine, muscaridine, and their analogs. Symptoms of poisoning by these mushrooms are observed 0.5 to 2 hours after consumption: severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of consciousness, excessive sweating, and hallucinations. Representatives of this group of mushrooms include certain species of the genus Amanita: Amanita muscaria, Amanita pantherina, Inocybe patouillardii, etc.; certain species of the genus Clitocybe: Clitocybe dealbata, Clitocybe candicas, Clitocybe rivulobata, and certain species of the genera Psilocybe and Stropharia.

The toxins of these mushrooms cause central nervous system disorders. They can induce a cholinergic poisoning syndrome, manifested by Skin pallor, Heart rhythm disturbances, convulsions, abdominal pain, increased intestinal peristalsis, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; or an anticholinergic syndrome, characterized by skin hyperemia, tachycardia, hallucinations, convulsions, and coma.

The third group of poisonous mushrooms includes those that exhibit pronounced hepato-nephrotoxicity. These are the most dangerous and fatally poisonous mushrooms. This group primarily includes the green variety of the death cap, or green amanita (Amanita phalloides), the yellow variety of the death cap (Amanita mappa), the white variety of the death cap, or white amanita (Amanita verna), the destroying angel (Amanita virosa), Lepiota brunneoincarta, Lepiota helveola, Hydrophorus conicus, false morel (Gyromitra eskulenta), etc.

At The First stage, the toxins of these mushrooms cause damage to the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, and subsequently to The Liver and Kidneys. As a result, symptoms of gastroenteritis develop, followed by acute hepatic and renal failure. The symptoms of poisoning become pronounced after the toxin reaches the brain and affects the nerve centers regulating the functions of individual organs. Vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, cyanosis of the Lips and Nails begin, hands and feet grow cold, and convulsions appear. Later, the toxins paralyze the nerves regulating blood vessel function, resulting in blood pooling within them; they also cause fatty degeneration of the liver, kidneys, and heart. The patient's condition deteriorates sharply, which almost always leads to a fatal outcome.

Toxins affecting the nervous system, as noted earlier, include the toxins of the second group of poisonous mushrooms, specifically muscarine. It was first isolated from the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), but its content in this mushroom ranges from 0.0003 to 0.0016% of wet mass. In fiberhead mushrooms, particularly Inocybe patouillardii, the muscarine content is 20 to 30 times higher than in the fly agaric.

In terms of chemical Structure, muscarine is a trimethylammonium derivative (Fig. 7.1)