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Interaction between the three frequently co-occurring Fusarium mycotoxins in rats
Judit Szabó-Fodor1, András Szabó1,2, Dániel Kócsó1
1MTA-KE Mycotoxins in the Food Chain Research Group, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary.
Abstract:
To test the complex, acute biochemical effects of combined, naturally co-occurring fusariotoxins, a 5-day rat study was performed. Mycotoxin treatment was invented by intraperitoneal injection: FB1 (F): 9 µg/animal/day (approx. 30 µg/kg bw/day), DON (D): 16.5 µg/animal/day (approx. 55 µg/kg bw/day) and ZEN (Z): 12.75 µg/animal/day (approx. 42.5 µg/kg bw/day). The binary groups (FB1 and DON [FD], FB1 and ZEN [FZ] and DON and ZEN [DZ]) as well as the ternary (FB1 , DON and ZEN [FDZ]) group were dosed at the same combined level as the individual mycotoxins. Body weight, feed intake and mortality were not affected by any of the treatments. FB1 and DON in combination (FD) increased the plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity synergistically (compared to the individual FB1 and DON). In the liver, both the total glutathione (GSH) and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were increased (p < 0.05) by the binary FB1 and ZEN (FZ) and the DON and ZEN (DZ) groups as well as the ternary FB1 , DON and ZEA group (FDZ) compared to the control. The GSH level of the ternary group was significantly increased compared to the FB1 group, whereas the GPx activity of the ternary group was significantly increased compared to all three the individual mycotoxin groups. The Bliss independence method revealed synergism between DON and ZEN (DZ), as well as FB1 and DON (FD) on liver GPx activity. None of the toxins alone or in combination exerted strong genotoxicity on lymphocytes, neither on the gross histopathological characteristics. However, even at these low levels acute exposure of more than one of these mycotoxins (FB1 , DON and ZEN) affected metabolic and detoxification changes.
Insights
Acute exposure to multiple fusariotoxins, including fumonisins (FB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN), induced synergistic metabolic and detoxification changes in rats. These mycotoxins, even at low doses, significantly impacted liver glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
- Food Safety
Background:
- Fusariotoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species.
- Co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in food and feed is common.
- Understanding the combined toxic effects is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute biochemical effects of combined fumonisin B1 (FB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) in rats.
- To determine if binary and ternary combinations of these mycotoxins exhibit synergistic or additive effects.
Main Methods:
- A 5-day intraperitoneal injection study in rats with individual and combined FB1, DON, and ZEN.
- Assessment of body weight, feed intake, mortality, plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity, liver glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity.
- Evaluation of genotoxicity and histopathological characteristics.
- Statistical analysis using the Bliss independence method for synergism.
Main Results:
- No significant effects on body weight, feed intake, or mortality were observed.
- Combined FB1 and DON (FD) showed synergistic increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity.
- Combined FB1 and ZEN (FZ), DON and ZEN (DZ), and FB1, DON, and ZEN (FDZ) increased liver GSH and GPx activity.
- Synergism was observed between DON and ZEN (DZ), and FB1 and DON (FD) on liver GPx activity.
- No strong genotoxicity or adverse histopathological changes were detected.
Conclusions:
- Acute exposure to combinations of FB1, DON, and ZEN, even at low doses, significantly alters metabolic and detoxification pathways in rats.
- Synergistic effects were observed for specific biochemical parameters, highlighting the complexity of mycotoxin interactions.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the long-term consequences and mechanisms of combined mycotoxin toxicity.
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