Ergot alkaloids, produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, are found
in small amounts in foodstuffs. The human disease ergotism, caused by
high intake of ergot alkaloids, is well known; however, little is know
n about the toxicity of these compounds. The subacute toxicity of an e
rgot alkaloid, ergometrine maleate, was therefore studied. Sprague-Daw
ley rats were treated with 0, 2, 10, 50 and 250 mg ergometrine maleate
/kg diet for 4 wk. Plasma glucose levels were decreased in females at
50 and 250 mg/kg. Thyroxin levels were decreased at 50 (males only) an
d 250 mg/kg. At the high dose level, organ weights of heart, liver, ov
aries and kidneys were increased. In male rats a slight dose-related i
ncrease in the incidence of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes and, to s
ome extent, of enlarged parathymal lymph nodes, was seen. Histopatholo
gical examination revealed evidence of increased glycogen storage in t
he liver of animals treated with 250 mg/kg. The no-observed-effect lev
el in this study was 10 mg/kg. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd