Ochratoxin A: comparative pharmacokinetics and toxicological implications (experimental and domestic animals and humans).

The causal factors for the species- and sex-differences associated with ochratoxin-mediated toxicity remain unclear. Variations in kinetic parameters may play a major role in explaining these differences, however, discrepancies and inaccuracies in the toxicokinetics reported in the literature for various species, make comparison and hence the extrapolation to the human situation impossible. The one- and two-compartment open models currently proposed may be insufficient to enable an accurate representation of the actual situation in vivo. It is likely that at least three if not four compartments must be assumed to account for the reported effects. The application of such models to existing raw data would most likely provide for a more accurate base set of toxicokinetic data and contribute to a more accurate human risk assessment. Possible explanations for the reported inconsistencies and their impact on the proposed mechanism(s) of action of OTA and risk assessment are discussed.