Toxicokinetic processes of cyanotoxins: From uptake to excretion. A review
Cyanobacteria are a significant source of both valuable biological resources and public health threats due to their ability to produce cyanotoxins in water. These toxins can be classified based on their chemical structures and mechanisms of action, with microcystins (MCs), nodularins (NODs), anatoxi...
| Autores: | , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad de Sevilla (US) |
| Repositorio: | idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:idus________::617600c0083a377533c63e65efe75ae0 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/11441/186943 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101273 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Uptake Distribution Metabolism Excretion Toxicokinetic Cyanotoxins |
| Sumario: | Cyanobacteria are a significant source of both valuable biological resources and public health threats due to their ability to produce cyanotoxins in water. These toxins can be classified based on their chemical structures and mechanisms of action, with microcystins (MCs), nodularins (NODs), anatoxins (ATXs), cylindrospermopsin (CYN), and saxitoxins (STXs) being the most prominent. This study aimed to conduct a critical review to identify and analyze the toxicokinetic processes of cyanotoxins, specifically focusing on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). The review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, using electronic databases such as ScienceDirect and PubMed. Overall, the available evidence indicates that the absorption of cyanotoxins is generally limited and strongly influenced by active transport processes rather than passive diffusion. Once absorbed, distribution tends to be preferentially directed toward specific target organs, mainly the liver and, for neurotoxic compounds, the nervous system. Metabolic data suggests that cyanotoxin biotransformation is dominated by phase II conjugation pathways, although their efficiency varies widely and quantitative kinetic information remains scarce. Excretion occurs primarily via fecal and urinary routes, reflecting biliary and renal clearance mechanisms. Despite these insights, the identification and validation of reliable toxicokinetic biomarkers remain limited, with most studies relying on tissue accumulation or indirect endpoints rather than standardized internal dose markers. Significant gaps in the research were identified regarding detailed kinetic parameters for each toxin, which should be addressed through international guidelines to enable accurate risk assessments and to adequately protect public and environmental health. |
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