N-acetyl cysteine alters the genotoxic and estrogenic properties of Alternaria toxins in naturally occurring mixtures

It is unclear if complex mycotoxin mixtures produced by Alternaria spp. act estrogenic and/or genotoxic under physiological conditions, particularly considering the co-occurrence with antioxidants in food. Thus, this study focused on enlightening impact of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), as a representative anti-oxidative SH-donor, mentioned toxicological endpoints signature toxins alternariol (AOH), altertoxin-II (ATX-II) and extract (CE) an alternata culture. Using Ishikawa cells vitro model, we monitored alterations toxin concentrations LC-MS/MS, estrogenicity alkaline phosphatase assays, cytotoxicity sulforhodamine B genotoxicity single-cell gel electrophoresis transcription selected genes interest quantitative real-time PCR. The results indicate that strong effects epoxide-carrying perylene quinones such ATX-II are erased presence NAC. cellular ATX-II/AOH dominated chinone. In mixture, AOH regained its when co-incubated contrast, NAC treatment AOH/CE mixture did not result recovery estrogenicity, but potentiated anti-estrogenic effects. These findings were line gene data, indicated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) to be prime mediator – induced antagonistic towards estrogen signaling. Taken together, further studies potential endocrine-disruptive properties non-genotoxic should future research priority field these emerging contaminants.