Zearalenone exposure modulates the expression of ABC transporters and nuclear receptors in pregnant rats and fetal liver.

The mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) is produced by a variety of Fusarium fungi and contaminates numerous cereals, fruits and vegetables. Interacting with the estrogen receptors, ZEN and reduced metabolites zearalenols cause hormonal effects in animals. Few data are available on the effects of repeated exposure to ZEN, particularly during pregnancy.

In vitro toxicological effects of estrogenic mycotoxins on human placental cells: structure activity relationships.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroid estrogen mycotoxin produced by numerous strains of Fusarium which commonly contaminate cereals. After oral administration, ZEN is reduced via intestinal and hepatic metabolism to α- and β-zearalenol (αZEL and βZEL). These reduced metabolites possess estrogenic properties, αZEL showing the highest affinity for ERs.

Assessment of deoxynivalenol (DON) adsorbents and characterisation of their efficacy using complementary in vitro tests.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a prevalent and resistant mycotoxin found in cereals and related products. Adsorbents appear to provide an opportunity to decrease DON absorption in animals but, due to their specificity, it is very difficult to evaluate their actual efficacy. It is pointless to extrapolate results obtained with one mycotoxin to another and even to extrapolate results obtained in vitro in buffer to an in vivo situation.

ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCC3 are implicated in the transepithelial transport of the myco-estrogen zearalenone and its major metabolites.

The myco-estrogene zearalenone (ZEA) is a worldwide cereal contaminant, implicated in reproductive disorders in animals and humans. Intestinal cells constitute a first barrier to mycotoxins exposure, since they express membrane ABC transporters that may affect the bioavailability of food xenobiotics. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms involved in the transepithelial transfer of ZEA and its major metabolites alpha- and beta-zearalenols (ZOLs), first using human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

Induction of cells differentiation and ABC transporters expression by a myco-estrogen, zearalenone, in human choriocarcinoma cell line (BeWo).

The mycotoxin zearalenone, produced by Fusarium species, is a worldwide contaminant of concern in cereals and other plant products. Due to its estrogenic activity, zearalenone (ZEA) is known to have toxicological effect in animals on reproductive system and the placental transfer of ZEA was suggested by in vivo studies. Although passive diffusion is the principal transport mechanism across the placenta, several carrier-mediated transport protein such as ABC transporter (P-gp, MRP1, MRP2, BCRP) have been identified in the placenta.

Metabolism and transfer of the mycotoxin zearalenone in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

The mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA) is found worldwide as contaminant in cereals and grains. It is implicated in reproductive disorders and hyperestrogenic syndromes in animals and humans exposed by food. We investigated metabolism and transfer of ZEA using the human Caco-2 cell line as a model of intestinal epithelial barrier.

Transepithelial transport of fusariotoxin nivalenol: mediation of secretion by ABC transporters.

Mycotoxin nivalenol (NIV) is a natural contaminant of various cereal crops, animal feed and processed grains throughout the world. Human and animal contamination occurs mainly orally, and the toxin must traverse the intestinal epithelial barrier before inducing potential health effects. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms involved in NIV transepithelial transfer.

Effect of organophosphate pesticide diazinon on expression and activity of intestinal P-glycoprotein.

Organophosphate insecticide diazinon is widely used in agricultural practices, submitting farmers to repeated exposure. Because efflux pumps, as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), serve both as natural defense mechanisms and influence the bioavailability and disposition of drugs, we analyzed the ability of diazinon to act as efflux modulator. Oral administration of diazinon (2-20 mg/kg, 5 days, or 10 mg/kg, 2-12 days) increased intestinal mdr1a mRNA of rats, in both dose- and time-dependent manner, and increased the expression of intestinal P-gp.

Diazinon cytotoxicity and transfer in Caco-2 cells: Effect of long-term exposure to the pesticide.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of prolonged exposure to diazinon (widely used organophosphorus pesticide) on the intestinal cell-line Caco-2. Cytotoxicity of the pesticide (50μM-6mM) significantly decreased in long-term exposed (20μM, 2 months) cells, compared to untreated control cells. In long-term exposed cells, the resistance to diazinon cytotoxicity was reversed in the presence of PSC-833, a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor, but not in the presence of MK 571, a Multidrug Resistance Protein (MRP) inhibitor.

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) as indicators of freshwater contamination with lindane.

Zebra mussels are common freshwater mollusks in many European lakes and rivers. Their abundance, wide distribution, and filtering activity make them good candidates to evaluate the contamination of freshwaters with environmental contaminants. The purpose of this work was to determine the kinetics of lindane in zebra mussels and compare laboratory results with in situ measurements.

Difethialone (LM-2219): a new anticoagulant rodenticide for use against warfarin-resistant and -susceptible strains of Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus.

Data on the efficacy of difethialone, a new anticoagulant rodenticide derived from 4-hydroxybenzothiopyranone against rats and mice, are reported. After one day of feeding with 25 mg/kg of bait, 100 and 85%, respectively, male and female warfarin-susceptible Rattus norvegicus were killed. With the resistant strain, mortality was 90 and 94% for males and females, respectively.