河豚毒素的起源及其研究进展

The Origin and Advancement of Investigation in Tetrodotoxin

河豚毒素(tetrodotoxin,TTX)是一种毒性很强、相对分子质量小的非蛋白毒素,最初从豚科鱼中发现,故被命名为河豚毒素。1985年有人提出了河豚鱼TTX的体外起源因素,认为所有能产生TTX的生物都与其体内能分泌TTX的微生物有着密切联系,但有部分研究人员证实东方在孵化期间能自行产生TTX。TTX为典型的Na+通道阻断剂,中毒者往往肢体麻木、瘫痪、甚至死亡;但另一方面,TTX具有镇痛、镇静、降压等功效,在临床上的应用十分广泛。本文简要介绍TTX的起源、毒性作用机制、毒性控制、临床及药理学上的应用,及其存在的问题和应用前景。

Tetrodotoxin（TTX） is an extremely potent low-molecular weight non-protein which is isolated from puffer fish at first. In 1985, the exogenous origin of TTX in puffer fish was first brought forward by Matsui in feeding experiments, they thought bacteria may be a source of TTX. However, Kendo Matsumura have showed an endogenous origin of tetrodotoxin in puffer fish, they suggested that tetrodotoxin was produced in embryos during development. Poisoned people by TTX which can block sodium channels, will lead to limbs numbness, paralysis, even to die. But TTX can relieve pain, mitigate and so on, so it is very important in clinically. In this text, the origin of TTX, the mechanism of toxin, the control of toxin, the application of TTX in clinically and the existing problems etc were reviewed.