Structure-activity relationships for the direct toxic action of trichothecenes on rat brain.

Three classes of 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes, differing in the number of hydroxy or acetoxy substituents, were implanted or injected into rat brain to establish structure-toxicity relationships. A free 3 alpha-hydroxy group increases toxicity more than 10-fold, when compared to trichothecenes lacking this substituent. The 8 alpha-hydroxy group enhances toxicity about 4-fold.