In vitro and in vivo effects of a mycotoxin, deoxynivalenol, and a trace metal, cadmium, alone or in a mixture on the intestinal barrier.

In vitro and in vivo effects of a mycotoxin, deoxynivalenol, and a trace metal, cadmium, alone or in a mixture on the intestinal barrier. Environ Int. 2019 Aug 07;132:105082 Authors: Luo S, Terciolo C, Bracarense APFL, Payros D, Pinton P, Oswald IP Abstract Deoxynivalenol (DON), one of the most widespread mycotoxins in Europe, and cadmium (Cd), a widespread environmental pollutant, are common food contaminants. They exert adverse effects on different organs including kidney, liver, and intestine. The intestine is a common target of DON and Cd when they are ingested. Most studies have focused on their individual effects whereas their combined toxicity has rarely been studied. The aim of this study was thus to evaluate their individual and combined effects on the intestinal barrier function in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, Caco-2 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of DON and Cd (1-30 μM). In vivo, Wistar rats were used as controls or exposed to DON contaminated feed (8.2 mg/kg feed), Cd-contaminated water (5 mg/l) or both for four weeks. In Caco-2 cells, DON, Cd and the DON+Cd mixture reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased paracellular permeability in a dose-dependent manner. Impairment of the barrier function was associated with a decrease in the amount of E-cadherin and occludin after exposure to the two contaminants alone or combined. A decrease in E-cadherin expression was observed i...
Source: Environment International - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Environ Int Source Type: research