Caracterização de efeitos tóxicos decorrentes da exposição aguda à micotoxina zearalenona em camundongos

Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEA) a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium, and its occurrence is common in grains and cereals worldwide. ZEA is structurally similar to estrogen, and therefore is responsible for the estrogen syndrome, since it has the ability to activate estrogen receptors, inducing functional changes in the reproductive tract organs. Moreover, as an immunosuppressive mycotoxin it has been demonstrated that elicits hematological and reproductive damage. Therefore, the current study was aimed to investigate the effects of an acute oral dose of ZEA. Adult Swiss albino male mice were exposed to a single oral injection of ZEA (40 mg/kg, p.o.), and 48 hours thereafter behavioral and biochemical tests were performed. In order to evaluate any possible toxic action of acute ZEA administration, the body and vital organs (lung, liver, spleen, kidney, testis and epididymis) relative weight were determined, as well as behavioral analysis, measurement of hematological and reproductive parameters (sperm count and motility). Additionally, markers of oxidative stress in liver, kidney and testes of mice were analysed by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Moreover, determination of ascorbic acid (AA), non-protein thiols (NPSH) and assessment of lipid peroxidation by determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were also analysed. Results show that ZEA caused acute hematological effects by increasing the total leukocyte number and fractions as well as a decreased lymphocyte and platelets number. ZEA drastically reduced the number and motility of live spermatozoa. Regarding the oxidative stress parameters, ZEA reduced the GST activity in the testis and kidney, SOD activity increased in kidney, liver and testis, and CAT activity increased in the kidneys. However, behavioral analysis, determination of AA and NPSH as well TBARS content were not altered by ZEA administration. In summary, we showed that ZEA have acute toxic effects mainly in reproductive system of adult male Swiss albino mice and its effect probably is related to a reduced activity of GST and increased in SOD activity in testes. We conclude that acute administration of ZEA induces hematological and reproductive toxicity, and probably these effects are related to oxidative stress.