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Toxicity evaluation of the mycotoxins, citrinin and ochratoxin A, using several animal cell lines

N Kitabatake1, E Doi, A B Trivedi

  • 1Research Institute of Food Science, Kyoto University, Japan.

Insights

Nephrotoxic mycotoxins citrinin and ochratoxin A showed varying cytotoxicities across cell lines. Canine kidney (MDCK) cells were most susceptible, with toxicity levels mirroring animal studies.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mycotoxicology

Background:

  • Mycotoxins, such as citrinin and ochratoxin A, are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi.
  • These nephrotoxic compounds pose risks to human and animal health, necessitating detailed toxicological studies.
  • Understanding the differential cellular responses to these mycotoxins is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the cytotoxic effects of citrinin and ochratoxin A on various mammalian cell lines.
  • To identify cell lines exhibiting differential sensitivity to these nephrotoxic mycotoxins.
  • To evaluate the utility of the MTT assay versus enzyme activity measurements for assessing mycotoxin toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Cytotoxicity assays using the MTT colorimetric method were performed on HeLa, C3H/10T1/2, NIH/3T3, MDCK, and HeLa P3 cell lines.
  • Leucine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were measured in MDCK cells to assess dose-response.
  • The median lethal dose (LD50) for both mycotoxins was calculated after 72-hour incubation.

Main Results:

  • Ochratoxin A exhibited higher cytotoxicity than citrinin across all tested cell lines.
  • MDCK (canine kidney) cells demonstrated significantly greater susceptibility to both citrinin and ochratoxin A compared to other cell lines.
  • The MTT assay proved more sensitive for detecting toxicity than measurements of leucine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase activity in MDCK cells.
  • Calculated LD50 values at 72 hours correlated with findings from in vivo animal studies.

Conclusions:

  • MDCK cells are a sensitive model for evaluating the nephrotoxicity of citrinin and ochratoxin A.
  • The MTT assay is a reliable method for assessing the cytotoxicity of these mycotoxins.
  • The in vitro findings align with in vivo toxicity data, supporting the relevance of this cell-based assay for mycotoxin risk assessment.

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