Effects of Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone on the Histology and Ultrastructure of Pig Liver

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of single and combined administrations of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) on the histology and ultrastructure of pig liver. The study was performed on immature gilts, which were divided into four equal groups. Animals in the experimental groups received DON at a dose of 12 μg/kg body weight (BW) per day, ZEN at 40 μg/kg BW per day, or a mixture of DON (12 μg/kg BW per day) and ZEN (40 μg/kg BW). The control group received vehicle. The animals were killed after 1, 3, and 6 weeks of experiment. Treatment with mycotoxins resulted in several changes in liver histology and ultrastructure, including: (1) an increase in the thickness of the perilobular connective tissue and its penetration to the lobules in gilts receiving DON and DON + ZEN; (2) an increase in the total microscopic liver score (histology activity index (HAI)) in pigs receiving DON and DON + ZEN; (3) dilatation of hepatic sinusoids in pigs receiving ZEN, DON and DON + ZEN; (4) temporary changes in glycogen content in all experimental groups; (5) an increase in iron accumulation in the hepatocytes of gilts treated with ZEN and DON + ZEN; (6) changes in endoplasmic reticulum organization in the hepatocytes of pigs receiving toxins; (7) changes in morphology of Browicz–Kupffer cells after treatment with ZEN, DON, and DON + ZEN. The results show that low doses of mycotoxins used in the present study, even when applied for a short period, affected liver morphology.

The Influence of Fusarium Mycotoxins on the Liver of Gilts and Their Suckling Piglets

“…Another study assessed the effects of feeding gilts for 1, 3, or 6 weeks with either DON at a dose of 0.012 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day, ZEN at 0.04 mg/kg BW, or a mixture of DON and ZEN. Histologically, several changes were observed in the liver, especially in gilts receiving DON and ZEN, such as increased thickness of perilobular connective tissue, increased total microscopic liver score, dilation of hepatic sinusoids, temporary changes in glycogen content, and increased iron accumulation in hepatocytes [ 34 ].…”

“…Research on the effects of feeding pigs with Fusarium mycotoxin co-contaminated feed has been ongoing for over 30 years, providing insight in various aspects. These studies often emphasized the zootechnical, hematological, biochemical, toxicological, and immunological parameters [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], whereas others also investigated histological changes in various organs with or without the aid of immunohistochemistry [ 14 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ] or even examined gene expression profiles [ 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”

“…The liver is an important site of Fusarium mycotoxin metabolism [ 18 ]. DON’s effects on liver have been investigated by studies evaluating biochemical, functional, histopathological parameters [ 33 , 34 , 41 , 42 , 43 ] and even gene expression profiles [ 38 ].…”

Zearalenone and the Immune Response

“…per day) alone or in combination with deoxynivalenol (DON, 12 μg/kg b.w. per day), another Fusarium mycotoxin, produced changes in the morphology of pig Kuppfer cells (stellate macrophages) with consequences on their activity [ 58 ].…”

Kaempferol Inhibits Zearalenone-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt-Mediated Nrf2 Signaling Pathway: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

“…Zearalenone (ZEA) is an oestrogenic mycotoxin responsible for polluting cereal grains, for instance oats, barley or sorghum across the globe. Many studies have shown that ZEA and its metabolites may be ingested and lead to various harmful effects on reproductive system, hepatocytes and kidney cells [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. When ZEA enters the body of either animals or human beings, it passes through the hepatic and systemic vessels before reaching another target organ [ 3 ].…”