Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a type-B trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, reported to be the most common mycotoxin present in food and feed products. DON is known to affect the production of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in male rats, consequently affecting reproductive endpoints. Our previous study showed that DON induces oxidative stress in prostate cancer (PCa) cells, however the effect of DON on the intratumor steroidogenesis in PCa and normal prostate cells was not investigated. In this study human normal (PNT1A) and prostate cancer cell lines with different hormonal sensitivity (PC-3, DU-145, LNCaP) were exposed to DON treatment alone or in combination with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for 48 h. The results of the study demonstrated that exposure to DON alone or in combination with DHEA had a stimulatory effect on the release of estradiol and testosterone and also affected progesterone secretion. Moreover, significant changes were observed in the expression of genes related to steroidogenesis. Taken together, these results indicate that DON might affect the process of steroidogenesis in the prostate, demonstrating potential reproductive effects in humans.
Highlights
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the naturally occurring mycotoxins belonging to the group of trichothecenes [1]
Our previous study showed that DON affects oxidative stress and apoptosis in prostate cancer (PCa) cells in a manner dependent on its hormonal sensitivity [8]
Steroid hormone concentration imbalance can be linked to the effects of impaired fertility and modulated secretion of progesterone from granulosa cells caused by DON exposure [5]
Summary
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the naturally occurring mycotoxins belonging to the group of trichothecenes (type B) [1]. It is produced by Fusarium graminearum (Gibberellazeae) and Fusarium culmorum species. It has been shown that DON causes a dosedependent effect on steroid hormones production in animal granulosa cells [3]. The effects of DON on the male reproductive system were studied in mice; this research indicated that serum testosterone concentration was decreased in a dose-related manner, the exact mechanism of DON action was not identified [4]. Another study evaluated the impact of DON on steroidogenesis of follicle granulosa cells and showed that DON inhibited progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) production [5]. Our previous study showed that DON affects oxidative stress and apoptosis in prostate cancer (PCa) cells in a manner dependent on its hormonal sensitivity [8]
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