Effects of different mycotoxins on humans, cell genome and their involvement in cancer

Abstract

Abstract. The chemical nature of most of the mycotoxins makes them highly liposoluble compounds that can be absorbed from the site of exposure such as from the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract to the blood stream where it can be dissimilated throughout the body and reach different organs such as the liver and kidneys. Mycotoxins have a strong tendency and ability to penetrate the human and animal cells and reach the cellular genome where it causes a major mutagenic change in the nucleotide sequence which leads to strong and permanent defects in the genome. This defect will eventually be transcribed, translated and lead to the development of cancer. In this review, the chemical and physical nature of mycotoxins, the action of mycotoxins on the cellular genome and its effect on humans, mycotoxins and their carcinogenicity and mycotoxins research gaps are discussed, and new research areas are suggested. The research review posed various questions. What are the different mycotoxins that can cause cancer, what is the role of mycotoxins in causing cancer and what types of cancers can be caused by mycotoxins? These questions have been selected due to the significant increase in the mycotoxin contamination and the cancer incidence rate in the contemporary world. By revealing and understanding the role of mycotoxins in developing cancer, measures to reduce the risks and incidents of cancer could be taken.

Recent Update: Effects of Aflatoxin in Broiler Chickens

“…It is because of the aflatoxin residue in the poultry's final products also found in the edible tissue such as muscle and liver that is commonly consumed by a human (Diaz-Zaragosa et al, 2014). In the long period of consumption of aflatoxin promotes the carcinogenesis and mutagenesis even at a low level (Adam et al, 2017).…”

Chemopreventive Effect of Dietary Anthocyanins against Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Review of Recent Advances and Perspectives

“…Due to its lipophilic nature, aflatoxin B1 is readily absorbed from the GI tract. Aflatoxin B1, upon its metabolism by cytochrome P450 in the liver, induces irreversible mutations in the p53 gene of hepatocytes [57,58]. Fumonisin B1 is another mycotoxin that can cause hepatic and esophageal cancers [59].…”

Reviewing the Analytical Methodologies to Determine the Occurrence of Citrinin and Its Major Metabolite, Dihydrocitrinone, in Human Biological Fluids

“…It was further implicated as causative contributor in swine nephropathy. Although recognized as a nephrotoxin in all tested animal species, its acute toxicity is variable across the different species [ 6 , 16 ]. CIT is an acknowledged nephrotoxin that affects monogastric species like pigs and dogs [ 17 ].…”

“…It is identified as (3 R ,4 S )-8-Hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethyl-6-oxo-4,6-dihydro-3H-isochromene-7-carboxylic acid, the chemical formula C 13 H 14 O 5 ( Figure 1 ) and CAS Number 518-75-2. The molecular weight of CIT is 250.25 g/mol [ 5 , 16 ]. DH-CIT, also known as HO-CIT, is (3 R ,4 S )-6,8-Dihydroxy-3,4,5-trimethyl-1-oxo-3,4-dihydro-1 H -isochromene-7-carboxilic acid and the chemical formula C 13 H 14 O 6 ( Figure 1 ) [ 18 ].…”