A preliminary study on changes in heat shock protein 70 levels induced by Fusarium mycotoxins in rats: in vivo study

Abstract The heat shock protein (Hsp70) level was assessed after 14 days of oral gavage-exposure to fumonisin B 1 (FB : 150 µg/animal/day), deoxynivalenol (DON: 30 µg/animal/day) and zearalenone (ZEN: alone or in combinations (in additive manner: FD = FB + DON, FZ ZEN, DZ DON ZEN FDZ ZEN) the liver, kidneys lung 24 adult male Wistar rats ( n 3/group). liver most responsive tissue, as compared with kidney lung. Except DZ-treatment, mycotoxins elevated Hsp70 levels livers. highest Hsp70-levels (? twofold) were FD, treatments (additive effects). In kidney, alterations (? ? detected treatments. least organ only FDZ, antagonistic effect). ZEA exposures have altered reduced glutathione concentration (?) peroxidase activity blood serum. serum malondialdehyde increased exposure (synergistic effect), group (antagonistic When clinical chemistry assessed, significant alanine aminotransferase (80% increase effect) total (? ZEN). Results varied according organ, toxin type interactions. Furthermore, oxidative stress not key player behind increase, which another mechanism is suggested.