STUDIES CONCERNING THE NEPHROTOXIC EFFECTS OF OCHRATOXIN A USING PIG AS A MODEL

Daniela E. Marin, Gina C. Pistol, M.A. Gras, Monica Motiu, Ionelia Taranu

Abstract
   The Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a chronic nephropathy described in some regions from the Balkan Peninsula and in Romania. Ochratoxin A is considered to be one of the factors involved in BEN triggering. Ochratoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungus and it was shown that OTA is principally nephrotoxic but also genotoxic or immunotoxic. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the nephrotoxic effect of a low dose of OTA (50ppb) administrated to weanling pig.
   Twelve weanling piglets were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet for 33 days and randomly assigned to either a control or OTA group. The following biochemical markers were assessed in plasma of weanling piglets: urea, creatinine, phosphorus, calcium, protein and albumin. The expression of genes involved in inflammation: genes for cytokines (IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, IL-8, IL-4) or for other markers (p38, Nf-KB, iNOS, Cox2) were assessed in kidney by real time PCR. The expression of cytokines: IFN gamma, IL-4, IL-6, TNF alpha, IL-1, IL-10 were assessed by ELISA. Administration of 50µg/kg OTA to the weanling piglets has no effect on urea, creatinine, phosphorus or calcium concentration, but induced a significant decrease (P<0.05) of total protein and albumin. OTA doesn't affect the expression of the investigated cytokines or the other inflammatory molecules. In conclusion, 50mg/kg OTA, as the recommended guidance values by EU for OTA in pigs, administered to weanling piglets for 33 days induced some alterations of the serum biochemical parameters, with little or no effect on inflammation.

Key words: Ochratoxin A, weanling piglets, inflammation

STUDII PRIVIND EFECTUL NEFROTOXIC AL OCHRATOXINEI A UTILIZAND PORCUL CA MODEL ANIMAL

Daniela E. Marin, Gina C. Pistol, M.A. Gras, Monica Motiu, Ionelia Taranu

Rezumat
   Nefropatia endemic balcanica (BEN) este o nefropatie cronica descrisa in regiuni din Peninsula Balcanica si Romania. Ochratoxina A este considerata a fi unul din factorii implicati in declansarea BEN. Ochratoxinele sunt metaboliti secundari produsi de fungi si s-a demonstrat ca OTA este in principal nefrotoxica dar si genotoxica si immunotoxica. Scopul lucrarii de fata a fost de a investiga efectul nefrotoxic al unei conncentratii mici de OTA (50ppb) la purceii intarcati.
   Doisprezece purcei intarcati au fost hraniti cu o dieta pe baza de porumb si soia timp de 33 zile si distribuiti aleator grupului control sau OTA. Urmatorii markeri biochimici au fost determinati in plasma purceilor intarcati: urea, creatinina, fosforul, calciul, proteina si albumina. Expresia genelor implicate in inflamatie : genele pentru citokine (IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, IL-8, IL-4) sau pentru alti markeri (p38, Nf-KB, iNOS, Cox2) a fost determinata in rinichi prin real time PCR. Expresia citokinelor: IFN gamma, IL-4, IL-6, TNF alpha, IL-1, IL-10 au fost determinate prin ELISA. Administrarea a 50µg/kg OTA purceilor intarcati nu a avut efect asupra concentratiilor de uree, creatinina, fosfor sau calciu, dar a indus o descrestere semnificativa (P<0.05) a concentratiei de proteina totala si albumina. OTA nu afecteaza expresia citokinelor investigate sau a altor molecule implicate in inflamatie. In concluzie, concentratia maxima recomandata de UE in furajele pentru porci - 50mg/kg OTA - administrata la purceii intarcati timp de 33 zile a determinat unele modificari ale parametrilor biochemici, dar a avut un efect redus asupra inflamatiei.

Cuvinte cheie: ochratoxina A, purcei intarcati, inflamatie