As part of our investigation of the metabolism of brevetoxin (PbTx) in
fish, we initiated a two-part study to determine the toxin's tissue d
istribution and its ability to induce xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes.
In the first study, gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta) were administered C-
14-PbTx-3 orally in a fishmeal slurry and sacrificed 72 hr later. Radi
oactivity was greatest in the hepatobiliary system (40% of body burden
), representing the key role this system plays in the detoxification a
nd elimination of brevetoxin. Muscle tissue contained 27%, followed by
gastrointestinal tract (25%). To investigate the effects of PbTx on x
enobiotic metabolizing enzymes, immature redfish (Scianops ocellatus)
were given two doses of brevetoxin (1.5 or 2.5 mu g/100 g body weight)
or cod liver oil in a fishmeal slurry by gavage. The activities of tw
o hepatic P450 enzymes, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and pentox
yresorufin O-depentylase (PROD), as well as the cytosolic enzyme, glut
athione S-transferase (GST), were measured. At the higher dose, PbTx s
ignificantly increased EROD activity. These results suggest that breve
toxin is capable of inducing an important xenobiotic metabolizing enzy
me (EROD).