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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Quantitative Analysis of Dietary Vitamin A Metabolites in Murine Ocular and Non-Ocular Tissues Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Published on: December 27, 2024
Evaluation of the protective effects of alpha-tocopherol and retinol against ochratoxin A cytotoxicity
1Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technology for Food Safety, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, 20133 Milan, Italy. antonelle.baldi@unimi.it
Abstract:
Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin frequently present in food and feedstuffs, produces a wide range of toxic effects, including cell death via lipid peroxidation. In one human and four animal cell lines we determined the half lethal concentration (LC50) of OTA, its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and its ability to induce cytochrome p450 activity. We also examined the protective effect of alpha-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol in the most sensitive cell lines (i.e. bovine mammary epithelia, for which LC50 was 0.8 microg/ml (24 h), and Madin Darby canine kidney, for which LC50 was 4.3 microg/ml (48 h)). Pre-incubation for 3 h with either antioxidant significantly (P<0.05) ameliorated the OTA-induced reduction in cell viability and significantly decreased (P<0.05) ROS production. These findings indicate that oxidative stress is an important factor in OTA cytotoxicity. Supplementation with antioxidant molecules may counteract the short-term toxicity of this mycotoxin.
Insights
Ochratoxin A (OTA) causes cell death through oxidative stress. Antioxidants like alpha-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol can protect cells from OTA
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
- Food Safety
Background:
- Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a common food and feed contaminant.
- OTA induces toxic effects, including cell death via lipid peroxidation.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in OTA's toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine the half lethal concentration (LC50) of OTA in various cell lines.
- Investigate OTA's effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cytochrome P450 activity.
- Evaluate the protective effects of alpha-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol against OTA toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Assessed OTA's LC50 in human and animal cell lines.
- Measured ROS production and cytochrome P450 activity following OTA exposure.
- Examined antioxidant protection in sensitive cell lines (bovine mammary epithelia and canine kidney cells).
Main Results:
- Identified LC50 values for OTA in specific cell lines (e.g., 0.8 µg/ml in bovine mammary epithelia at 24h).
- Demonstrated that antioxidants significantly reduced OTA-induced cell death and ROS production.
- Confirmed oxidative stress as a key mechanism in OTA cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress plays a significant role in Ochratoxin A's toxicity.
- Antioxidant supplementation shows potential in mitigating the short-term adverse effects of OTA.
- Further research into antioxidant interventions for mycotoxin exposure is warranted.