Effects of Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone on the Histology and Ultrastructure of Pig Liver.

Natalia Skiepko,Magdalena Gajęcka,Barbara Przybylska-Gornowicz,Maciej Gajęcki,Bogdan Lewczuk

doi:10.3390/toxins12070463

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of single and combined administrations of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) on the histology and ultrastructure of pig liver. The study was performed on immature gilts, which were divided into four equal groups. Animals in the experimental groups received DON at a dose of 12 μg/kg body weight (BW) per day, ZEN at 40 μg/kg BW per day, or a mixture of DON (12 μg/kg BW per day) and ZEN (40 μg/kg BW). The control group received vehicle. The animals were killed after 1, 3, and 6 weeks of experiment. Treatment with mycotoxins resulted in several changes in liver histology and ultrastructure, including: (1) an increase in the thickness of the perilobular connective tissue and its penetration to the lobules in gilts receiving DON and DON + ZEN; (2) an increase in the total microscopic liver score (histology activity index (HAI)) in pigs receiving DON and DON + ZEN; (3) dilatation of hepatic sinusoids in pigs receiving ZEN, DON and DON + ZEN; (4) temporary changes in glycogen content in all experimental groups; (5) an increase in iron accumulation in the hepatocytes of gilts treated with ZEN and DON + ZEN; (6) changes in endoplasmic reticulum organization in the hepatocytes of pigs receiving toxins; (7) changes in morphology of Browicz–Kupffer cells after treatment with ZEN, DON, and DON + ZEN. The results show that low doses of mycotoxins used in the present study, even when applied for a short period, affected liver morphology.

Highlights

Mycotoxins, secondary fungal metabolites, are frequent contaminants of cereals and cereal products
Hepatocytes were arranged in linear cords radiating from the central vein and separated by sinusoids, which had a uniform diameter over their entire length
The changes caused by mycotoxins varied depending on the toxin and duration of intoxication

Summary

Introduction

Mycotoxins, secondary fungal metabolites, are frequent contaminants of cereals and cereal products. Delivered via these plants and products, they pose a serious health threat to humans and animals [1,2,3]. Whereas mycotoxins are sometimes regarded as stressors [4,5], they have a target-specific mode-of-action and so are true toxins rather than stressors per se [6]. Pigs are sensitive to DON [7], but they show high sensitivity to ZEN [8]. High doses of DON cause reduced appetite, complete anorexia, vomiting [9], and reproductive disorders [10]. Absorption of DON is rapid, and the toxin reaches the peak

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