Toxicity of echinulin from Aspergillus chevalieri in rabbits.

Rabbits were injected intraperitoneally with purified echinulin, a product of Aspergillus chevalieri. After 2 h, the rabbits were bled and enzyme analyses were carried out on the supernates of liver homogenates and citrated plasma. Elevated levels of total plasma lactate dehydrogenase, cardiac derived isozyme, glutamic-oxaloacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities in animals receiving toxin were observed. These levels were statistically significant compared to the vehicle control. A significant increase in liver lactate dehydrogenase of toxin-treated rabbits was also observed. Light-microscopic examination of lung and liver showed a significant degree of damage. The increase in plasma enzyme levels is indicative of damage to these organs.