Cyanobacterial toxins and liver disease.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, produce a variety of toxins, some of which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of severe and potentially life-threatening diseases in humans. As the growth of cyanobacteria within freshwater lakes increases worldwide, it is important to review our present understanding of their toxicity and potential carcinogenicity to gain insight into how these organisms impact human health. This review addresses each of these topics, with special emphasis given to cyanobacterial hepatotoxins within freshwater environments.
Labine
M A
MA
Section of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, 715 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada.
Minuk
G Y
GY
D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000473:pathology*; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000633:toxicity*
D002273:Carcinogens; D008387:Marine Toxins