ABSTRACT
Xylitol, a sugar substitute, is widely used in various food formulations and finds a steady global market. In this study, xylitol crystals were produced from corncob by fermentation (as an alternative to the chemical catalytic process) by a GRAS yeast Pichia caribbica MTCC 5703 and characterized in detail for their purity and presence of any possible contaminant that may adversely affect mammalian cell growth and proliferation. The acute and chronic oral toxicity trials demonstrated no gross pathological changes with average weekly weight gain in female Wistar rats at high xylitol loading (LD50 > 10,000 mg/kg body weight). The clinical chemistry analysis supported the evidence of no dose-dependent effect by analyzing blood biochemical parameters. The finding suggests the possible application of the crystals (> 98% purity) as a food-grade ingredient for commercial manufacture pending human trials.
Subject(s)
Xylitol , Zea mays , Rats , Humans , Animals , Xylitol/toxicity , Zea mays/chemistry , Biomass , Rats, Wistar , Fermentation , Xylose , MammalsABSTRACT
Xylitol is a hygroscopic compound known to protect nasal cavity against bacteria. It has also been developed into nasal spray and evaluated as a potential candidate drug for respiratory diseases. Consequently, it is necessary to study its inhalation toxicity. Based on our previous study on its subacute inhalation toxicity, this study aimed to investigate the safety of xylitol inhalation for long-term use. According to the OECD Test Guideline 413, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups and exposed with different concentrations of xylitol aerosol or air. After exposure for 90-day, the recovery groups were continued to observe for a recovery period of 28-day. No significant changes in body weight were observed between sham and xylitol groups. Several significant differences in hematological, clinical chemistry, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were observed, which either had no dose-effect relationship for both male and female rats or were restored during the recovery period. Finally, except for high dose group of xylitol, two rats showed a small amount of inflammatory exudate in alveolar and bronchial cavities, which was restored in the recovery period. The rest of rats showed no obvious difference. For the recovery groups, no significant difference was observed between these two groups. In conclusion, the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of xylitol in our subchronic inhalation toxicological experiments was 2.9 mg/L, which indicated that xylitol for rats' long-time inhalation is tolerant and safe.
Subject(s)
Inhalation Exposure , Xylitol , Administration, Inhalation , Aerosols/toxicity , Animals , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/chemistry , Female , Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects , Male , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Xylitol/toxicityABSTRACT
Xylitol is commonly used as sugar substitute in households. While it has numerous beneficial effects on human health, it is highly toxic to dogs. The goal of this study was to examine whether xylitol has similar deleterious effects, such as hypoglycaemia and acute hepatic failure, on cats. Our research included six healthy middle-aged cats. Xylitol was dissolved in deionized water and administered p.o. at three doses (100, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight). These dosages have been considered toxic and can cause liver failure or even death in dogs. After every xylitol administration, the basic health status and the blood glucose of cats were observed regularly. Additionally, prior to and 6, 24 and 72 hr after xylitol administration, blood samples were taken to check complete blood count, clinical biochemical parameters and enzymes such as ALT, ALKP, GGT, GLDH, bile acids, BUN, creatinine, phosphate, total protein, albumin, sodium and potassium. There were no significant changes (p > .05) in any of the haematological or biochemical parameters. Blood glucose concentrations did not show any significant alterations, except at 1,000 mg/kg dose, where a mild but significant increase was observed, but it was in physiological range. Based on our results, xylitol did not induce toxic effects on cats.
Subject(s)
Blood Glucose/drug effects , Cat Diseases/chemically induced , Sweetening Agents/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicity , Animals , Cat Diseases/blood , Cats , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Male , Sweetening Agents/administration & dosage , Xylitol/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Twenty-nine wild Cape sugarbirds ( Promerops cafer) died acutely after ingestion of a homemade xylitol nectar solution from a bird feeder. The most aggressive feeders were first affected. Most birds showed clinical signs within 15 minutes of nectar ingestion, including incoordination, weakness, falling from perches, collapse, and death. A few birds showing clinical signs seemed to spontaneously recover and fly away. Full necropsy examinations done on 27 birds were hampered by freezing artifact and autolysis, but results indicated death was caused by the consequences of acute hypoglycemia. A presumptive diagnosis of xylitol toxicity was made based on the history, clinical signs, and absence of other obvious causes of death. This is potentially the first record of xylitol toxicity in wild birds.
Subject(s)
Bird Diseases/chemically induced , Passeriformes , Sweetening Agents/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicity , Animals , Bird Diseases/mortality , Hypoglycemia/chemically induced , Hypoglycemia/mortality , Hypoglycemia/veterinaryABSTRACT
Xylitol is a widely used anti-caries agent that has anti-inflammatory effects. We have evaluated the potential of xylitol in cancer treatment. It's effects on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were measured by MTT assay and LDH assay. Cell morphology and autophagy were examined by immunostaining and immunoblotting. Xylitol inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in these cancer cells: A549, Caki, NCI-H23, HCT-15, HL-60, K562, and SK MEL-2. The IC50 of xylitol in human gingival fibroblast cells was higher than in cancer cells, indicating that it is more specific for cancer cells. Moreover, xylitol induced autophagy in A549 cells that was inhibited by 3-methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor. These results indicate that xylitol has potential in therapy against lung cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing autophagy of A549 cells.
Subject(s)
Autophagy/drug effects , Cell Death/drug effects , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Epithelial Cells/physiology , Xylitol/toxicity , Cell Line, Tumor , Cytological Techniques , Formazans/analysis , Humans , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/analysis , Tetrazolium Salts/analysisABSTRACT
Over the past several decades, dental health products containing fluoride have been widely employed to mitigate tooth decay and promote oral hygiene. However, concerns regarding the potential toxicological repercussions of fluoride exposure have incited continuous scientific inquiry. The current study investigated the cytotoxicity of sodium fluoride (NaF) and xylitol (Xyl), both individually and in combination, utilizing human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and osteosarcoma (SAOS-2) cell lines. In HaCaT cells, NaF decreased proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner and induced apoptosis-related morphological changes at low concentrations, whereas Xyl exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects. The combination of NaF and Xyl reduced cell viability, particularly at higher concentrations, accompanied by apoptosis-like morphological alterations. Sub-cytotoxic NaF concentrations (0.2%) significantly affected caspase activity and the expression of pro-apoptotic genes. Conversely, Xyl demonstrated no discernible effect on these biological parameters. In SAOS-2 cells, NaF increased proliferation at high concentrations, contrasting with Xyl's concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects. The combination of NaF and Xyl had a minimal impact on cell viability. Sub-cytotoxic NaF concentrations did not influence caspase activity or gene expression, while Xyl induced dose-dependent morphological alterations, increased caspase activity, and upregulated pro-apoptotic gene expression. In ovo experiments on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) revealed that only NaF induced irritant effects, suggesting potential vascular adverse outcomes. This study advocates for the combined use of NaF and Xyl, highlighting their cytotoxicity benefits in healthy cells while maintaining safety considerations for tumor cells.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Cell Proliferation , Cell Survival , Sodium Fluoride , Xylitol , Sodium Fluoride/toxicity , Humans , Xylitol/toxicity , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Drug Synergism , Animals , Chick Embryo , Keratinocytes/drug effects , HaCaT CellsABSTRACT
Xylitol, a potential cystic fibrosis treatment, lowers the salt concentration of airway surface liquid and enhances innate immunity of human airways. The study objective was to evaluate the potential toxicity/recovery from a 14-consecutive day (7 days/week), facemask inhalation administration of nebulized xylitol solution in Beagle dogs. Aerosolized xylitol was generated through three Aerotech II nebulizers operating at approximately 40 psi driving pressure. Test article groups were exposed to the same concentration of aerosolized xylitol for 1, 0.5, or 0.25 h for the high, mid, and low exposures, respectively. A control group was exposed for 1 h to a nebulized normal saline solution. Animals were sacrificed the day following the last exposure or subsequently after 14 non-exposure days. Study endpoints included clinical observations, body weights, ophthalmology, and physical examinations, food consumption, clinical pathology, urinalyses, organ weights, and histopathology. Mean xylitol aerosol concentrations for all groups were approximately 3.5 mg/l. Mean total deposited doses to the pulmonary region were estimated as 21, 11, and 5 mg/kg, for the high-, mid-, and low-exposure groups, respectively. All dogs survived to the scheduled necropsy. No treatment-related findings were observed due to xylitol exposure in any end point examined. Lung findings (mild interstitial infiltration, macrophage hyperplasia, alveolitis, and bronchitis) were consistent among exposed and control groups. No exposure-related effect of xylitol in any parameter assessed was seen during or after the 14-day exposure in Beagle dogs. The No Observed Effect Level was the high-exposure level and suggests that inhaled xylitol is safe for clinical administration.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/toxicity , Sweetening Agents/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicity , Administration, Inhalation , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Dogs , Female , Male , Nebulizers and Vaporizers , No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level , Sweetening Agents/administration & dosage , Toxicity Tests, Subacute , Xylitol/administration & dosageABSTRACT
DNA ladder fragments, regarded as a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis, have been separated quickly and successfully by capillary electrophoresis. Inter-nucleosomal DNA fragmentations induced by xylitol selenite were determined for the first time, while hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) was served as the sieving matrix in dynamic sieving capillary electrophoresis. The calibration curve (r(2) = 0.991) was established and multiples of two different nucleosomes (140 and 180 bp) were formed in the presence of xylitol selenite. Selenium compounds inhibited carcinogenesis in animal models, SMMC-7221 cells and several other cells by increasing apoptosis. The described method was useful in elucidating the anticancer activities of xylitol selenite and other selenium compounds, which was more effective to detect small fragments than slab gel electrophoresis.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , Electrophoresis, Capillary/methods , Hepatocytes/drug effects , Sodium Selenite/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicity , Cell Line, Tumor , DNA Fragmentation , Filtration/methods , Humans , Hypromellose Derivatives , Methylcellulose/analogs & derivatives , Methylcellulose/chemistryABSTRACT
The Cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs are increasing as a result of ingestion of xylitol-containing products. Eighteen adult, clinically normal Pekingese dogs were orally dosed with 1 or 4 g/kg xylitol in aqueous solution. Blood samples were collected before and after dosing. Plasma insulin concentrations of both treated groups rose sharply from 20 min after xylitol dosing, peaking at 40 min. Hypoglycemia followed the increase in insulin concentration, with blood glucose values started to decrease 30 min after dosing. Other plasma biochemistry changes associated with xylitol administration were increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and hypercalcemia. Plasma sodium and chloride concentrations remained normal. This study established a biochemical basis for diagnosis and treatment of xylitol poisoning in dogs.
Subject(s)
Sweetening Agents/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicity , Administration, Oral , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Animals , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Chlorides/blood , Dogs , Female , Hypercalcemia/chemically induced , Hypoglycemia/chemically induced , Hypokalemia/chemically induced , Hypophosphatemia/chemically induced , Insulin/blood , Male , Sodium/bloodABSTRACT
The potential ability of various physical or chemical agents to enhance their effect when they are applied simultaneously with each other is well-known. The purpose of this study was to adjust a simple mathematical model to describe, optimize and predict a synergistic interaction between fluoride and xylitol on acid production by mutans streptococci. The model suggests that the synergism is caused by the additional effective damage arising from an interaction of sublesions induced by each agent. These sublesions are considered to be ineffective when each agent is used individually. The predictions of the model were verified by comparison with experimental data published by other researchers. It was shown that the model describes the experimental data, predicts the greatest value of the synergistic effect and the condition under which it can be achieved. The synergistic effect appeared to decline with any deviation from the optimal value of the ratio of effective damages produced by each agent alone.
Subject(s)
Cariostatic Agents/toxicity , Fluorides/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicity , Algorithms , Drug Synergism , Glycolysis , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Models, Statistical , Predictive Value of Tests , Reproducibility of Results , Streptococcus mutans/drug effects , Streptococcus sobrinus/drug effectsABSTRACT
Xylitol ingestions in dogs may result in severe hypoglycemia followed by acute hepatic failure and associated coagulopathies. Aggressive treatment may be needed, but the prognosis is generally expected to be good for dogs developing uncomplicated hypoglycemia. Because of increased availability of xylitol-containing products in the market and in the dog's environment, it is likely that there will continue to be increased exposures and toxicity in dogs.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/chemically induced , Hypoglycemia/veterinary , Sweetening Agents/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicity , Animals , Dog Diseases/therapy , Dogs , Hypoglycemia/chemically induced , Hypoglycemia/therapy , Liver Failure, Acute/complications , Liver Failure, Acute/veterinary , Prognosis , Sweetening Agents/pharmacology , Xylitol/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Polyols, also known as sugar alcohols, are widely used in the formulation of tooth-friendly and reduced-calorie foods. Considering the significant health benefits of polyols in products formulated for human use, there is increased interest in evaluating potential uses in companion animal applications. Erythritol and xylitol are two polyols which are currently widely used in products ranging from reduced-sugar foods to personal care and cosmetics. Published studies have shown that both of these compounds are well-tolerated in rodents. Their toxicity profiles differ when comparing canine safety data. Doses of xylitol as low as 0.15 g/kg-BW in dogs can result in life-threatening hypoglycemia and acute liver failure, whereas erythritol is well-tolerated in dogs with reported No Adverse Effect Levels upwards of 5 g/kg-BW/day in repeat-dose studies. While pivotal studies substantiating the safe use of erythritol in humans have been published, there are limited published studies to support the safe use of erythritol in dogs. Here we present the results of an acute oral and a sub-chronic oral toxicity study in Beagle dogs. Given the potential health benefits of oral products formulated with erythritol and the data presented herein substantiating the safe use in dogs, erythritol can be safely used in products for canines.
Subject(s)
Erythritol/administration & dosage , Sweetening Agents/administration & dosage , Animals , Biological Assay , Dogs , Erythritol/toxicity , Sweetening Agents/toxicity , Xylitol/administration & dosage , Xylitol/toxicityABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the signalment, clinical signs, prevalence of decreased blood glucose concentration (BG), prevalence of increased liver values, treatment, and outcome in dogs known to have ingested xylitol. DESIGN: Retrospective study from December 2007 to February 2012 SETTING: Three university teaching hospitals. ANIMALS: One hundred ninety-two client-owned dogs with known or suspected xylitol ingestion. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median ingested xylitol dose was 0.32 g/kg (range 0.03-3.64 g/kg). Clinical signs were present in 39 (20%) dogs on presentation to the veterinary teaching hospitals. The most common clinical sign was vomiting (n = 25), followed by lethargy (12). The median duration of clinical signs prior to presentation was 93 minutes (range 0-5,040 minutes). Dogs that developed clinical signs ingested a significantly higher dose of xylitol than those that were asymptomatic. Thirty dogs became hypoglycemic (BG ≤ 3.3 mmol/L [60 mg/dL]) at some time point during their hospitalization. When evaluating all dogs, there was a significant difference between the initial and lowest BGs. Thirty dogs had increased alanine aminotransferase activity or total serum bilirubin concentration. Dogs with increases in alanine aminotransferase activity or total serum bilirubin concentration had a significantly lower nadir BG. All dogs survived to discharge and 158 were known to be alive at 28 days. The rest were lost to follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for dogs evaluated by a veterinarian that ingest lower doses of xylitol and do not develop liver failure is excellent. Dogs ingesting xylitol should be hospitalized and monitored for variations in BG, because BG drops in most dogs following presentation. Additional studies are needed in dogs ingesting higher doses of xylitol before correlations between dose and the development of clinical signs or liver failure can be established. Treatment and prognosis for these dogs warrants further investigation.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/chemically induced , Xylitol/toxicity , Animals , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/blood , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/veterinary , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dog Diseases/pathology , Dogs , Hypoglycemia/blood , Hypoglycemia/veterinary , Poisoning/veterinary , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
In vitro models are useful tools to initially assess the toxicological safety hazards of food ingredients. Toxicities of cinnamaldehyde (CINA), cinnamon bark oil, lemongrass oil (LGO), thymol, thyme oil (TO), clove leaf oil, eugenol, ginger root extract (GRE), citric acid, guanosine monophosphate, inosine monophosphate and sorbose (SORB) were assessed in canine renal proximal tubule cells (CPTC) using viability assay and renal injury markers. At LC50, CINA was the most toxic (0.012mg/ml), while SORB the least toxic (>100mg/ml). Toxicities (LC50) of positive controls were as follows: 4-aminophenol (0.15mg/ml in CPTC and 0.083mg/ml in human PTC), neomycin (28.6mg/ml in CPTC and 27.1mg/ml in human PTC). XYL displayed lowest cytotoxic potency (LC50=82.7mg/ml in CPTC). In vivo renal injury markers in CPTC were not significantly different from controls. The LGO toxicity mechanism was analyzed using qPCR and electron microscopy. Out of 370 genes, 57 genes (15.4%) were significantly up (34, 9.1%) or down (23, 6.2%) regulated, with the most upregulated gene gsta3 (â¼200-fold) and the most affected pathway being oxidative stress. LGO induced damage of mitochondria, phospholipid accumulation and lack of a brush border. Viability assays along with mechanistic studies in the CPTC model may serve as a valuable in vitro toxicity screening tool.
Subject(s)
Food Safety , Kidney Tubules, Proximal/cytology , Toxicity Tests/methods , Acrolein/analogs & derivatives , Acrolein/toxicity , Aminophenols/toxicity , Animals , Cell Survival/drug effects , Citric Acid/toxicity , Dogs , Eugenol/toxicity , Gene Expression Profiling , Zingiber officinale , Guanosine Monophosphate/toxicity , Humans , Inosine Monophosphate/toxicity , Oils, Volatile/toxicity , Plant Extracts/toxicity , Plant Oils/toxicity , Plant Roots , Sorbose/toxicity , Terpenes/toxicity , Thymol/toxicity , Thymus Plant , Xylitol/toxicityABSTRACT
This research aimed to develop in vitro methods to assess hazard of canine food ingredients. Canine hepatocytes were harvested and cell viability of clove-leaf oil (CLO), eugenol (EUG), lemongrass oil (LGO), guanosine monophosphate (GMP), inosine monophosphate (IMP), sorbose, ginger-root extract (GRE), cinnamon-bark oil (CBO), cinnamaldehyde (CINA), thymol oil (TO), thymol (THYM), and citric acid were assessed with positive controls: acetaminophen (APAP), aflatoxin B1 and xylitol. Molecular Toxicology PathwayFinder array (MTPF) analyzed toxicity mechanisms for LGO. LC50 for APAP was similar among human (3.45), rat (2.35), dog (4.26 mg/ml). Aflatoxin B1 had an LC50 of 4.43 (human), 5.78 (rat) and 6.05 (dog) µg/ml; xylitol did not decrease viability. LC50 of CLO (0.185 ± 0.075(SD)), EUG (0.165 ± 0.112), LGO (0.220 ± 0.012), GRE (1.54 ± 0.31) mg/ml; GMP (166.03 ± 41.83), GMP + IMP (208.67 ± 15.27) mM; CBO (0.08 ± 0.03), CINA (0.11 ± 0.01), TO (0.21 ± 0.03), THYM (0.05 ± 0.01), citric acid (1.58 ± 0.08) mg/ml, while sorbose was non-toxic. LGO induced upregulation of 16 and down-regulation of 24 genes, which CYP and heat shock most affected. These results suggest that in vitro assays such as this may be useful for hazard assessment of food ingredients for altered hepatic function.
Subject(s)
Animal Feed/standards , Food Safety , Hepatocytes/drug effects , Acetaminophen/toxicity , Acrolein/analogs & derivatives , Acrolein/toxicity , Aflatoxin B1/toxicity , Animals , Cell Line , Cell Survival/drug effects , Dogs , Down-Regulation , Eugenol/toxicity , Food Analysis , Zingiber officinale/chemistry , Zingiber officinale/toxicity , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Humans , Lethal Dose 50 , Oils, Volatile/toxicity , Plant Extracts/toxicity , Plant Oils/toxicity , Plant Roots/chemistry , Plant Roots/toxicity , Rats , Terpenes/toxicity , Thymol/toxicity , Up-Regulation , Xylitol/toxicityABSTRACT
Some workers have suggested that 6 days xylitol administration to rats results in hepatic dysfunction. In our study xylitol was administered to rats by daily gastric intubation for a period of 14 days. Dose levels were 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg. During treatment (2, 5 and 14 days), animals were submitted to careful clinical examinations and to blood serum analysis related to hepatic functions. They were sacrificed after 2, 5, and 14 days treatment. In the 2 and 5 days treatment groups, main organs were submitted to histological study. This examination was only performed on liver in the 14 days treatment group. No evidence of hepatotoxicity was recorded. Serum levels of all parameters measured were within normal limits (including bilirubin and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP). No anomalies were shown histologically.
Subject(s)
Liver/drug effects , Xylitol/toxicity , Animals , Body Weight/drug effects , Female , Liver/physiology , Liver/physiopathology , Liver Function Tests , Male , RatsABSTRACT
Regiospecific synthesis of 12 novel n-butyric and phenylalkylcarboxylic monoesters of mannose and xylitol was achieved. The strategy adopted, avoided a tedious intramolecular transesterification step, previously described for the synthesis of analogous compounds and permitted the facile synthesis of a new generation of stable derivatives. The general tolerance of the drugs has been assayed after intravenous administration of a bolus dose into mice. Monobutyric esters showed a low toxicity commensurate with the requirements for future development. A relationship was observed between chain length and toxicity. In contrast, phenylacetic, 3-phenylpropionic and 4-phenylbutyric esters were found to be toxic. Phenylbutyric esters induced marked and specific neuromuscular damage. Preliminary biological investigations of the new series of monobutyric esters showed them to retain the benificial biological properties of butyric acid whilst remaining relatively non toxic. They induced an inhibition of in vitro proliferation of 10 human cases of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) primary cultures and AML established cell lines. AML blasts growth appeared to be blocked and cell differentiation was established. Transcription and expression of maturation markers and finally apoptosis were observed. Moreover, human gamma-chain hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis in erythroleukemia cells was stimulated by monobutyric esters. Mannose and xylitol butyric derivatives would appear to have exciting potential in treatment of beta-Hemoglobinopathies, sickle cell anemia and cancer.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/toxicity , Butyrates/toxicity , Mannose/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicity , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Apoptosis/drug effects , Butyrates/chemical synthesis , Female , Humans , Male , Mannose/analogs & derivatives , Mice , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Xylitol/analogs & derivativesABSTRACT
Many foods and food additives that are safe for human consumption can be extremely toxic to pets. Recognizing the clinical signs and clinicopathologic changes associated with these toxins allows prompt initiation of appropriate therapy. As with many other toxins, decontamination and supportive care are the mainstays of therapy for food toxicosis. Educating owners about foods and food additives that are unsafe for dogs and cats can help prevent toxicosis.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/chemically induced , Dog Diseases/chemically induced , Food/toxicity , Animals , Bread/toxicity , Cacao/toxicity , Caffeine/toxicity , Cats , Dogs , Ethanol/toxicity , Garlic/toxicity , Macadamia/toxicity , Onions/toxicity , Vitis/toxicity , Xylitol/toxicityABSTRACT
Xylitol is used as a sugar substitute in food products. Dogs have been reported to experience lethal liver injury after accidental ingestion of xylitol. Because liver injury may be a serious consequence of canine immune-mediated reactions, antibodies produced against xylitol may attack the liver. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated whether binding sites for xylitol antibodies are located at the liver or not. Anti-xylitol antibodies were generated by immunization of rabbits with a xylose-bovine serum albumin conjugate. Immunohistological examination showed that binding sites for the anti-xylitol antibodies were located in the hepatic arteries and the portal veins. Western blotting analyses by using a canine liver homogenate showed 4 protein bands with different molecular weights which reacted with anti-xylitol antibodies. Therefore, binding of anti-xylitol antibodies to the vessels may be the first step in an immune-mediated pathogenic response in xylitol toxicity. Further studies are necessary to determine the effects of anti-xylitol antibodies on the liver in the pathogenesis of xylitol toxicity.