engleski

Plasma ochratoxin A levels in population of Croatia

Endemic nephropathy (EN)occurring in rural population in the part of Republic of Croatia (Brodska Posavina) is considered to be caused by nephrotoxic mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA). Population is exposed to OTA by ingestion of OTA contaminated food. The investigation of the presence of OTA in the inhabitants of endemic region was continued for twelve years by use of spectrofluorimetric method (sensitivity 2 ng/ml). OTA is present in higher concentration in blood of people in endemic region, as compared to control regions. In cuntries where EN is not present, OTA was also found in high percentage of human plasma by use of HPLC method. We have investigated the exposure of general population in Republic of Croatia, using HPLC method (sensitivity 0.2 ng/ml). Samples of plasma were collected from blood donors in five towns of Croatia, three belonging to the continental part of the country (Zagreb, Varaždin and Osijek) and two from the Mediterranean coast (Rijeka and Split). The incidence of OTA is high, especially in Osijek. In the whole population OTA concentration does not exeeds 2 ng/ml, which is the sensitivity of the method used in previous investigations.

ochratoxin A; endemic nephropathy; HPLC method

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