Posted by Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is one of the most lethal neurotoxins found in the marine environment. TTX and its analogues are known for their ability to selectively block voltage-gated sodium channels (VSGCs, also known as Nav), preventing sodium from entering the cell and leading to severe health effects in both animals and humans. Initially, TTX was believed to be found only in certain pufferfish species, but it has since been identified in a wide variety of marine and terrestrial organisms.
Cyclodextrin-based antidotes are a hot topic in current research. One of the most significant achievements in the history of cyclodextrins is sugammadex, the first approved cyclodextrin-based API, with a well-known mechanism of action, against rocuronium overdose.
In a recent study, five insoluble cyclodextrin polymers with varying chemical structures were investigated as novel clean-up materials for oyster extracts containing TTXs. Both anionic and cationic polymers were tested. The most successful results (~100% recovery) were achieved with a sulfobutylated BCD polymer, which has a degree of substitution around 2. This allowed for exposure to 27-fold higher oyster matrix concentrations and reduced the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 46 μg equiv. TTX/kg.
This clean-up strategy, when combined with cell-based assays, could be implemented in TTX detection monitoring programs to ensure seafood safety.
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026265X24006970