Potential risk of acute hepatotoxicity of kodo poisoning due to exposure to cyclopiazonic acid

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is a staple food of some sections of people of North India. Consumption of Kodo millet is often found to cause intoxication and poisoning. The grains are frequently infested with Aspergillus tamarii Kita, which produced substantial amount of a mycotoxin. cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Investigations were carried out to evaluate the hepatotoxic/preneoplastic changes in rat liver following single and multiple dose administration of CPA. Results showed a marked increase in the activity of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) following CPA exposures, suggesting acute hepatotoxicity. Significant increase was also observed in gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity following CPA exposures, indicating preneoplastic changes in the liver. The results reveal that Kodo poisoning might cause acute hepatotoxicity in men and animals. The findings thus suggest that the consumption of contaminated Kodo millet is a serious health hazard due to exposure to CPA produced by Aspergillus tamarii associated with the millet. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.