Butenolide

Butenolide is cardiotoxic and hepatotoxic. Fusarium mycotoxins has been associated with both alimentary toxic aleukia, and esophageal cancer. Consumption of Fusarium mycotoxins-contaminated foodstuffs has also been considered as a suspected etiological factor for Kashin–Beck disease and Keshan disease. (A3036, A3039)

Butenolide causes lipid peroxidation, disrupting the membrane lipid bilayer and causing damage to membrane protiens. It also induces production of reactive oxygen species by impairing the activities of complexes I–IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, especially in the liver, leading to oxidative stress. In addition, butenolide disrupts the cation gradient by inhibiting the activity of Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase and Na+/K+-ATPase, likely either as a side effect of lipid peroxidation or by binding to the sulfhydryl groups in the active sites of these enzymes. (A3036, A3037)

Agents that are used to suppress appetite.

Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging.