University of Toledo researchers study the effects of algae blooms on the liver

Researchers from the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences are studying the effects that algal bloom toxins may have on the human liver.

This project hits close to home after the 2014 Toledo water crisis prompted their interest for studying the algal bloom toxin microcystin and the effects it has on individuals with pre­existing Non­alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

“Since it is estimated that at least one­third of all adults in the U.S., including those living right here in Northwest Ohio, already have an early form of liver disease called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease,” said David Kennedy, assistant professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, “we wanted to know if this pre­existing liver disease increased the susceptibility of livers to damage due to microcystin.”

Research began in the spring of 2016 after receiving a $45,000 grant from the David and Helen Boone Foundation and the State of Ohio Sea Grant.

“Our goal with the State of Ohio Sea Grant is determining the molecular mechanisms and long term effects of microcystin exposure in setting of pre­existing liver disease,” said Steven Haller, assistant professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. “We are also working on laboratory tests to determine microcystin levels in the blood in order to provide a potential diagnostic test for microcystin exposure.”

In addition to Kennedy and Haller, senior undergraduate biology student Dalal Mahmoud and second­year medical student Aaron Tipton take part in the research. Both Tipton and Mahmoud were the inaugural beneficiaries of the David and Helen Boone Research Award.

“This project is very important for the health and safety of families not only in our community but all over the world who are affected by toxic algal blooms,” Mahmoud said.

Researchers injected mice with low doses of microcystin in hopes to develop guidelines for patients who may be more susceptible to liver damage, specifically those with NAFLD.

“NAFLD is caused by a number of factors including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.” Kennedy says, “However, NAFLD appears to make livers more susceptible to further damage by toxins such as microcystin.”

Researchers found that these doses caused no harmful effects on livers in healthy animals, but left injury and scarring in a mouse model of pre­existing NAFLD.

“Based on the results of these studies, we are planning future work to develop a therapy for microcystin induced injury to not only the liver but other organs as well,” Haller says.

Mahmoud and Tipton will be presenting the findings of their research at the Ohio Sea Grant’s “Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the Science Conference” on September 15 at the Stranahan Center in Toledo.