engleski

Apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by ochratoxin A in rat kidney

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread mycotoxin produced by several species of fungi, Aspergillus and Penicillium. OTA is the potent nephrotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic agent. It is a possible etiological agent of endemic nephropathy. We studied the effects of low doses of OTA on kidney cells. Wistar rats were treated with 120 mg OTA/kg body weight daily, during 10, 30 and 60 days (n=32). Renal status and levels of apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, activity of SOD and concentrations of OTA were determined. OTA treatment caused the increased number of apoptosis in the epithelial kidney cells. DNA analysis did not show characteristic fragmentation (DNA laddering). The apoptotic cells were visualised using TUNEL assay and staining with haematoxylin and eosin in situ. The number of apoptotic cells in 10, 30 and 60 days treated rats increased by 5, 6.4 and 12.7 fold, respectively, compared to the control cells. The concentration of lipid peroxides showed increase (36%), but the activity of SOD decreased (26%) in 60 days treated rats. Toxin concentration in kidney was proportional to the time of exposure, and amounted 547.2ng OTA/g, 752.5ng OTA/g and 930.3ng OTA/g kidney tissue after 10, 30 and 60 days, respectively. The results of this work showed, that exposure to low concentration of OTA is capable of activating processes that stimulate apoptosis and oxidative damage in kidney cells.

Apoptosis; oxidative stress; ochratoxin A; kidney

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