Disease relevance of Lathyrism

• Recent studies have implicated the ingestion of the structurally related plant excitotoxins, beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), and beta-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA), in the pathogenesis of two human motor system diseases, the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-Parkinsonism-dementia complex of Guam (Guam ALS-PD), and lathyrism, respectively [1].
• Our conclusion is that penicillamine-induced lathyrism inhibits the onset of stenosis in the rat [2].
• beta-N-Oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA) and beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) are chemically related excitant amino acids isolated from the seed of Lathyrus sativus (BOAA) and Cycas circinalis (BMAA), consumption of which has been linked to lathyrism (an upper motor neuron disorder) and Guam amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), respectively [3].
• A higher frequency of peripheral neuropathy and lower motor neuron involvement has been reported from Bangladesh and Israel. Severe spasticity in the absence of prominent weakness in lathyrism may be due to the involvement of certain specific groups of corticospinal fibres [4].

High impact information on Lathyrism

• BOAA, a potent agonist of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, is likely to be causally associated with lathyrism in man [5].
• beta-N-Oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid (beta-L-ODAP) is thought to be the causative agent in lathyrism due to its neuroexcitatory and neurotoxic properties [6].
• Excitotoxicity may play a role in certain disorders of the motor system thought to be caused by environmentally acquired toxins, including lathyrism and domoic acid poisoning [7].
• Morphologic aspects of experimental esophageal lye strictures. II. Effect of steroid hormones, bougienage, and induced lathyrism on acute lye burns [8].
• Lipids closely associated with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)--and induced heterotopic bone formation. With preliminary observations of deficiencies in lipid and osteoinduction in lathyrism in rats [9].

Chemical compound and disease context of Lathyrism

• Elastin fiber-associated glycosaminoglycans in beta-aminopropionitrile-induced lathyrism [10].
• Experimental lathyrism was induced by feeding newborn chicks a diet containing 0.2 and 0.4% DL-Penicillamine, with or without CuSO4 (10 mg/Kg diet) and Vitamin B6 (100 mg/Kg diet), or 0.015 and 0.1% beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate (beta-APN) [11].
• We have attempted to alter collagen metabolism in young squirrel monkeys by inducing lathyrism with D-penicillamine to weaken scar tissue [12].
• Lathyrism was induced by feeding beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate for six weeks, and the lathyritic state was confirmed by characteristic radiographic, histomorphologic and biochemical findings [13].
• Elevation of collagenase activity may be important with respect to the increased neutral salt solubility of collagen and hydroxyproline excretion observed in experimental lathyrism [13].

Anatomical context of Lathyrism

• Peripheral nerve regeneration in primates during D-penicillamine-induced lathyrism [12].

Gene context of Lathyrism

• The role of ascorbic acid on collagen structure and levels of serum interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in experimental lathyrism [14].
• Lathyrism is characterized by defective collagen synthesis due to inhibition of lysyl oxidase, an enzyme essential for interfibrillar cross-linking [14].

References