Effects of zearalenone on oxidative stress and inflammation in weanling piglets

This is the first study to examine zearalenone-(ZEN) induced changes in the immune system of the ileum and substance P-(SP-) and vasoactive intestinal peptide-(VIP-) immunoreactive nerve fibers in the mucosa, which participate in the regulation of intestinal functions under physiological conditions and during pathological processes. The aim of this study was also to identify potential relationships between selected immune and neural elements in ileal Peyer's patches in pigs that were and were not exposed to ZEN. The experiment was performed on 10 prepubertal gilts divided into two groups: the experimental group (n=5) where ZEN was administered at 0.1 mg kg -1 feed day -1 for 42 days, and the control group (n=5) which was administered a placebo. The tissue levels of cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay which revealed elevated concentrations of IL-12/23 40p and IL-1 β in animals exposed to ZEN. Flow cytometry revealed a lower percentage of CD21+ lymphocytes in pigs exposed to ZEN in comparison with control animals. The tissue levels of neuropeptides were evaluated in the dot blot procedure which demonstrated higher concentrations of VIP and SP in experimental pigs. In experimental animals, numerous VIP-like immunoreactive processes were observed, and SP-immunoreactive nerve fibers formed a very dense network. Our results demonstrate for the first time that ZEN can modify the chemical coding of nerve structures in the gastrointestinal system. Those modifications can be attributed to ZEN's impact on estrogen receptors or its pro-inflammatory properties, and they reflect changes that take place in the nervous system at the transcriptional, translational and metabolic level.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zearalenone-induced changes in the lymphoid tissue and mucosal nerve fibers in the porcine ileum

Obremski¹,

Gonkowski²,

Wojtacha³

2015

“…Subclinical doses of patulin can alter the Th1/Th2 balance in favor of the Th2 immune response and promote allergic reactions and ulcerative colitis (Luft et al 2008). Marin et al (2010Marin et al ( , 2013 reported on the immunomodulatory effects of ZEN. There is an absence of published data on the effects of mycotoxin exposure, in particular ZEN and its metabolites, on the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile in ileal Peyer's patches.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of in vivo exposure to zearalenone on cytokine secretion by Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes in porcine Peyer’s patches after in vitro stimulation with LPS

Obremski¹

2014

Most research studies investigating the estrogenic effects of zearalenone (ZEN) focus on the mycotoxin's effect on the reproductive system. Since estrogen receptors are present on various types of immunocompetent cells, ZEN can also modify diverse immune functions. This study analyzed immunocompetent cells isolated from Peyer's patches in the ileum of pigs administered ZEN in the estimated daily dose of 8 μg kg -1 BW (equivalent of 100 μg kg -1 feed per day -1 ). The objective of the study was to determine whether long-term exposure to low ZEN doses below the NOEL threshold leads to changes in the percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokine secretion by Th1

“…According to Taranu et al (2015), ZEN stimulates the expression of TLR and certain cytokines involved in the inflammatory response and the recruitment of immune system cells. Marin et al (2013) administered ZEN to piglets at a dose of 316 ppb and observed that the mycotoxin was capable of inducing an inflammation in the bloodstream by increasing the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Similar findings were reported by Obremski (2014) who noted an increase in IFN-a levels in ileal Peyer's patches in pigs receiving 100 ppb of ZEN.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zearalenone's hepatoxicity is determined mainly by the dose, and it is manifested by abnormal function and histology of the liver (Marin et al 2013). Hepatocyte activity is evaluated based on the activity levels of serum enzymes (Jiang et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of selected serum biochemical and haematological parameters in gilts exposed per os to 100 ppb of zearalenone

Jakimiuk¹,

Radwińska²,

Pomianowski³

et al. 2015

Zearalenone (ZEN) widely contaminates animal feed of plant origin. The recommended safe concentrations of ZEN in feeds for various animal species are set mainly based on the mycotoxin's hormonal properties (NOEL). Our growing knowledge about biologically active concentrations of ZEN, molecular mechanisms and cells/tissues targeted by ZEN indicates that the harmful effects exerted by this mycotoxin on animals may be far greater than previously believed. This experiment was performed on pre-pubertal gilts divided into a control group (n=9) and an experimental group (ZEN, n=9). The control group received placebo, whereas the experimental group was administered ZEN at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg feed (equivalent to 5 μg/kg BW/day) for 42 days. On days 14, 28 and 42 blood samples were collected from the animals to determine the concentrations of selected zearalenols, serum biochemical and haematological parameters. Conjugated ZEN was found in the blood serum of the experimental gilts. Changes in the analysed biochemical parameters included a transient increase in albumin and cholesterol levels. A statistically significant increase in the concentrations of neutrophilic and acidophilic granulocytes was observed in the white blood cell system. The results indicate that long-term per os exposure of pre-pubertal gilts to low doses of ZEN (below NOEL) has a modulatory effect on liver function and white blood cells.