Authors : Asim Kart and Ali Bilgili
Abstract: Ionophores are antibiotics which are used as coccidiostat and growth promotant in veterinary practice. The ionophores make complexes with mono and divalent cations and facilitate the movement of metal ions by providing lipophilic channels thourough the hyrophobic lipid membranes. Use of ionophores are generally known to be safe and effective at the therapeutic doses in animal species. The most commonly used ionophores monensin, lasalocid and salinomicin are incorporated in the feed to prevent cocsidiosis and increase feed efficiency in poultry and cattle, respectively. However, accidental overdose, misuse, mixing errors and accidental ingestion in non-target species could result in toxicity in a number of animals. Horses, cattle, avian species, dogs, cats and rats are sensitive to ionophore toxicity. Toxic effects of ionophores are thought to be mediated by disrupting the normal ionic gradients of cells leading to mitochondrial damage, lack of cellular energy. A well-known toxic effect of ionophores is cardiac toxicity and muscle degeneration in suspected species. However, one less commonly known effect of ionophores is associated with nervous system leading to the neuropathy which is manifested with myelin degeneration and ataxia. The general toxic aspects, mechanism of toxicity as well as neurotoxic effect of ionophores are reviewed in this study.
Asim Kart and Ali Bilgili , 2008. Ionophore Antibiotics: Toxicity, Mode of Action and Neurotoxic Aspect of Carboxylic Ionophores. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 748-751.