engleski

Beauvericin and ochratoxin A genotoxicity evaluated using the alkaline comet assay: single and combined genotoxic action

This study was aimed to investigate the genotoxic potential of single beauvericin (BEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) as well as their interaction in porcine kidney epithelial PK15 cells and human leukocytes using the alkaline comet assay. IC50 of BEA (5.0+/-0.6) and OTA (15.8+/-1.5) estimated by MTT reduction assay shows that BEA is 3 times more toxic than OTA. BEA (0.1 μM and 0.5 μM) and OTA (1 μM and 5 μM) were applied alone or in combination of these concentrations for 24 h in PK15 cells and for 1 h and 24 h in human leukocytes. Single BEA (0.5 uM) and OTA (1 and 5 uM) and their combinations evoked significant DNA damage in PK15 cells, considering all comet tail parameters measured [tail length, tail intensity, tail moment, and the 95th percentile of comet parameters (abnormal size tails, AST) in control]. The genotoxic effects of single toxins and their combinations on human leukocytes were time- and dose-dependent. After 1 h of exposure there were no significant changes in the tail length. Tail intensity, tail moment, and/or incidence of AST were significantly higher in cells treated with single OTA or BEA and their combinations than in control cells. DNA damage in leukocytes was significantly higher after 24 h of exposure to single toxins and their combinations, considering all comet tail parameters, but these changes were less pronounced than in PK15 cells. Combined toxins showed additive and synergistic effects in PK15 cells while only additive effects were observed in human leukocytes. Combined prolonged exposure to BEA and OTA in subcytotoxic concentrations through food consumption could induce DNA damage contributing to the carcinogenicity in animals and humans.

genotoxicity; comet assay; mycotoxin synergism; carcinogenicity

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