Digitalis-like compounds in the toad Bufo viridis: Tissue and plasma levels and significance in osmotic stress

Lichtstein, David; Gati, Irith; Haver, Eitan; Katz, Uri

doi:10.1016/0024-3205(92)90005-a

Cited by 28 publications

(18 citation statements)

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“…Although the subepidermal capillary network does not play a major role in respiration among toads (Czopek, 1965;Machin, 1969), it is very important in the hydric balance of these terrestrial animals (Czopek, 1965;Schmid, 1965;McClanahan, 1967;Bentley, 1969;McClanahan and Baldwin, 1969;Roth, 1973). The subcutaneous capillaries are associated with the parotoid glands, which contain bufogenins, biogenic amines, and glycosaminoglycans, all of which are suspected to be involved in either osmotic balance, hydric balance, or both (Elkan, 1968;Vialli et al, 1969;Dapson, 1970;Lillywhite, 1971;Le Quang Trong, 1975a,b;Matoltsy and Bereiter-Hahn, 1986;Lichtstein et al, 1992;Toledo et al, 1992;Toledo and Jared, 1993). This suggests that the parotoid glands and their vasculature may serve additional functions beyond that of defense.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The secretion of the parotoid glands contains biogenic amines and noncardiotonic and cardiotonic steroids (Siperstein et al, 1957;Zelnik et al, 1964;Chen and Kovarikova, 1967). The cardiotonic steroids consist of bufogenins (bufadienolides) and bufotoxins (Zelnik, 1965;Meyer, 1966;Meyer and Linde, 1971;Lichtstein et al, 1992). Bufogenins and bufotoxins are synthesized by the toads from cholesterol (Doull et al, 1951;Siperstein et al, 1957;Meyer, 1966;Porto and Gros, 1971;Porto et al, 1972), and are cardiotoxic to some mammals (Toledo and Jared, 1995).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Bufogenins inhibit the sodium-potassium pump (Flier et al, 1980) and may play a role in hydric and osmotic balance (Lichtstein et al, 1992). Biogenic amines, such as adrenaline, affect hydric balance by stimulating the secretion of mucus onto the surface of the skin (Lillywhite, 1971;Toledo and Jared, 1993).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Vasculature of the parotoid glands of four species of toads (bufonidae: bufo)

Hutchinson

Savitzky

2004

Journal of Morphology

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The parotoid glands of toads (Bufonidae) consist of large aggregations of granular glands located between the otic region of the skull and the scapular region. To determine the circulatory pattern of these glands, we perfused the vascular systems of Bufo alvarius, B. marinus, B. terrestris, and B. valliceps with either India ink or Microfil, a fine latex. The perfused glands were studied by gross dissection, microscopic examination, and histology. The vascular patterns of the parotoid glands were compared to the arrangement of vessels in the dorsal skin of Rana sphenocephala (Ranidae), a frog that lacks parotoid glands. The parotoid glands of the four species of toads are supplied with blood by the lateral and dorsal cutaneous arteries and are drained by one or more branches of the internal jugular vein. The dorsal cutaneous artery supplies most of the blood to the parotoid glands in B. terrestris and B. valliceps. In B. alvarius and B. marinus, both the lateral and dorsal cutaneous arteries serve major roles in the blood supply of the glands. These patterns of blood flow have not been described previously for parotoid glands and conflict with earlier accounts for B. alvarius and B. marinus. The arteries and veins associated with the parotoid glands of toads are present in R. sphenocephala, but are arranged differently. In R. sphenocephala, the lateral cutaneous artery supplies the dorsal and lateral skin posterior to the shoulder region, whereas the dorsal cutaneous artery supplies the skin of the shoulder region. In toads, both the lateral and dorsal cutaneous arteries supply the skin of the shoulder region and ramify into subcutaneous capillaries that surround the secretory units of the parotoid glands. Extensive vasculature presumably is important for delivering cholesterol and other precursor molecules to the parotoid glands, where those compounds are converted into toxins.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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confidence: 97%

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Vasculature of the parotoid glands of four species of toads (bufonidae: bufo)

Hutchinson

Savitzky

2004

Journal of Morphology

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“…Considered as possible regulators of the Na + /K + -dependet ATPase, an enzyme that controls the balance of salts and water in toad skin, bufadienolides have been detected mainly in skin and parotoid gland secretions. However, their presence in ovaries, oocytes, eggs, tadpoles, plasma and bile has been reported as well (Lichtstein et al, 1986;Lichtstein et al, 1992;Akizawa et al, 1994;Lee et al, 1994;Matsukawa et al, 1998;Mebs et al, 2007b;Hayes et al, 2009) (Table S-3). Bufadienolides are widely spread among bufonid species; however, Melanophryniscus species lack such metabolites (Mebs et al, 2007b).…”

Section: Occurrence and Sourcementioning

confidence: 90%

Toxins and pharmacologically active compounds from species of the family Bufonidae (Amphibia, Anura)

Rodríguez

Rollins‐Smith

Ibáñez

et al. 2017

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

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In this article, the traditional uses, toxicity and pharmacological potential of chemical compounds from bufonids have been summarized. In spite of being reported to be used to treat several diseases, neither extracts nor metabolites from bufonids have been tested in such illness like acne, osteoporosis, arthritis and other illnesses. However, the cytotoxicity of these metabolites needs to be evaluated on adequate animal models due to the limited conditions of in vitro assays. Novel qualitative and quantitative tools based on MS spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy is now available to study the complex secretions of bufonids.

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“…Osmotic or hydric balance-The contents of these glands include not only bufadienolides, but also a diverse array of biogenic amines and glycosaminoglycans (Clarke, 1997). All of these substances may play wider biological roles in osmotic balance and/or hydric balance (Dapson, 1970;Elkan, 1968;Le Quang Trong, 1975a,b;Lichtstein, Gati, Haver, & Katz, 1992;Lillywhite, 1971;Matoltsy & Bereiter-Hahn, 1986;Toledo & Jared, 1995;Toledo, Jared, & Brunner, 1992;Vialli, Bolognani, Croce, & Bolognani, 1969). Thus, the toxin-containing glands may serve additional functions other than deterrence of predators.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex and weaponry: The distribution of toxin‐storage glands on the bodies of male and female cane toads (Rhinella marina)

Chen

Hudson

DeVore

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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The parotoid macroglands of bufonid anurans store (and can expel) large volumes of toxic secretions and have attracted detailed research. However, toxins also are stored in smaller glands that are distributed on the limbs and dorsal surface of the body. Female and male cane toads (Rhinella marina) differ in the location of toxin‐storage glands and the extent of glandular structures. Female toads store a larger proportion of their toxins in the parotoids than males as well as (to a lesser extent) in smaller glands on the forelimbs. Males have smaller and more elongate parotoids than females, but glands cover more of the skin surface on their limbs (especially hindlimbs) and dorsal surface. The delay to toxin exudation in response to electrostimulation varied among glands in various parts of the body, and did so differently in males than in females. The spatial distribution of toxin glands differs between the sexes even in toads that have been raised under standardized conditions in captivity; hence, the sexual dimorphism is due to heritable factors rather than developmentally plastic responses to ecological (e.g., habitat, predation risk) differences between the sexes. The selective advantages of this sexual dimorphism remain unclear. A priori, we might expect to see toxin widely dispersed across any part of the body likely to be contacted by a predator; and a wide distribution also would be expected if the gland secretions have other (e.g., male–male rivalry) functions. Why, then, is toxin concentrated in the parotoids, especially in female toads? That concentration may enhance the effectiveness of frontal displays to deter predation and also may facilitate the transfer of stored toxins to eggs.

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Digitalis-like compounds in the toad Bufo viridis: Tissue and plasma levels and significance in osmotic stress

Cited by 28 publications

References 24 publications

Vasculature of the parotoid glands of four species of toads (bufonidae: bufo)

Vasculature of the parotoid glands of four species of toads (bufonidae: bufo)

Toxins and pharmacologically active compounds from species of the family Bufonidae (Amphibia, Anura)

Sex and weaponry: The distribution of toxin‐storage glands on the bodies of male and female cane toads (Rhinella marina)

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