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Perugino F, Pedroni L, Galaverna G, Dall'Asta C, Dellafiora L. A mechanistic toxicology study to grasp the mechanics of zearalenone estrogenicity: Spotlighting aromatase and the effects of its genetic variability. Toxicology 2024; 501:153686. [PMID: 38036094 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycoestrogen produced by Fusarium fungi contaminating cereals and in grain-based products threatening human and animal health due to its endocrine disrupting effects. Germane to the mechanisms of action, ZEN may activate the estrogen receptors and inhibit the estrogens-producing enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1). Both show single nucleotide variants (SNVs) among humans associated with a diverse susceptibility of being activated or inhibited. These variations might modify the endocrine disrupting action of ZEN, requiring dedicated studies to improve its toxicological understanding. This work focused on human aromatase investigating via 3D molecular modelling whether some of the SNVs reported so far (n = 434) may affect the inhibitory potential of ZEN. It has been also calculated the inhibition capability of α-zearalenol, the most prominent and estrogenically potent phase I metabolite of ZEN, toward those aromatase variants with an expected diverse sensitivity of being inhibited by ZEN. The study: i) described SNVs likely associated with a different susceptibility to ZEN and α-zearalenol inhibition - like T310S that is likely more susceptible to inhibition, or D309G and S478F that are possibly inactive variants; ii) proofed the possible existence of inter-individual susceptibility to ZEN; iii) prioritized aromatase variants for future investigations toward a better comprehension of ZEN xenoestrogenicity at an individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florinda Perugino
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pedroni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Zhang C, Li C, Liu K, Zhang Y. Characterization of zearalenone-induced hepatotoxicity and its mechanisms by transcriptomics in zebrafish model. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136637. [PMID: 36181844 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium fungi, which contaminates crop and cereal products worldwide. It is widely distributed and can be transported from agricultural fields to the aquatic environment via soil run-off. Zearalenone exposure can cause serious health problems to humans and animals, including estrogenic, immunotoxic, and xenogenic effects. Though its hepatotoxicity has been reported by few studies, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be investigated. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the hepatotoxic effects of zearalenone and its molecular mechanism in the zebrafish model system. First, we found zearalenone exposure can cause liver injury, as evidenced by reduced liver size, decreased liver-specific fluorescence, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, delayed yolk sac absorption and lipid accumulation. Then, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed using dissected zebrafish fry liver, which found genes involved in oxidation and reduction were significantly enriched. Quantitative real-time PCR further confirmed the dysregulated expression of several antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, lipid peroxidation was proved by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) production and gene expression at the mRNA level. In contrast to the previous study, apoptosis was likely decreased in response to zearalenone exposure. Last, glucuronidation and amino acid metabolism were also disrupted by zearalenone. Our results revealed the complex mechanism of zearalenone-induced hepatotoxicity, which is a valuable contribution to a more comprehensive understanding of the toxicity of zearalenone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Zhang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 Jingshidong Road, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 Jingshidong Road, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Chenqinyao Li
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 Jingshidong Road, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 Jingshidong Road, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Kechun Liu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 Jingshidong Road, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 Jingshidong Road, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), 28789 Jingshidong Road, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, 28789 Jingshidong Road, Licheng District, Jinan, 250103, China.
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Luo S, Liu Y, Guo Q, Wang X, Tian Y, Yang W, Li J, Chen Y. Determination of Zearalenone and Its Derivatives in Feed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry with Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup and Isotope Dilution. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14110764. [PMID: 36356014 PMCID: PMC9697342 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was established for the determination of zearalenone and its five derivatives in feed, including zearalanone, α-zearalanol, β-zearalanol, α-zearalenol, and β-zearalenol. An effective immunoaffinity column was prepared for sample purification, which was followed by the silane derivatization of the eluate after an immunoaffinity chromatography analysis for target compounds by GC-MS. Matrix effects were corrected by an isotope internal standard of zearalenone in this method. The six analytes had a good linear relationship in the range of 2-500 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.99. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were less than 1.5 μg/kg and 5.0 μg/kg, respectively. The average spike recoveries for the six feed matrices ranged from 89.6% to 112.3% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 12.6%. Twenty actual feed samples were analyzed using the established method, and at least one target was detected. The established GC-MS method was proven to be reliable and suitable for the determination of zearalenone and its derivatives in feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunlin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qi Guo
- Clover Technology Group Inc., Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xiong Wang
- Clover Technology Group Inc., Beijing 100044, China
| | - Ying Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Juntao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yiqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (Y.C.)
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Chemicals of environmental concern as inhibitors of human placental 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and aromatase: Screening and docking analysis. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 368:110243. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Cai P, Feng Z, Feng N, Zou H, Gu J, Liu X, Liu Z, Yuan Y, Bian J. Activated AMPK promoted the decrease of lactate production in rat Sertoli cells exposed to Zearalenone. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 220:112367. [PMID: 34052758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone, which is ubiquitous in grains and animal feed, is a mycotoxin that can cause serious damage to animals and humans. Sertoli cells (SCs) can be used to study ZEA male reproductive toxicity in vitro. SCs provide energy for germ cells, where AMPK regulates intracellular energy. In order to explore the regulatory effect of AMPK on ZEA-induced lactate decline, we activated AMPK by AICAR and then inhibited AMPK by Compound C with ZEA-treated SCs for 24 h to detect intracellular lactate production-related indicators. Cell viability in the presence of 20 μmol/L ZEA and either 50 μmol/L AICAR or 5 μmol/L Compound C, respectively, did not damage SCs, and could effectively either activate or inhibit AMPK. Inhibition of AMPK promoted the production of pyruvate and lactate via increased expression of the glycolysis-related genes Pgam1 and the lactate production-related proteins GLUT1, LDHA, and MCT4. Activating AMPK inhibited the production of lactate and pyruvate by suppressing the expression of glycolysis-related genes HK1, Pgam1, and Gpi1 and that of lactate production-related proteins LDHA and MCT4. Zearalenone destroys the energy balance in SCs, activates P-AMPK, which inhibit the production of lactate and pyruvate in SCs. This also leads to the decrease of energy supply of SCs to spermatogenic cells, damages to reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peirong Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiheng Feng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Nannan Feng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianhong Gu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuezhong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jianchun Bian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
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Kinkade CW, Rivera-Núñez Z, Gorcyzca L, Aleksunes LM, Barrett ES. Impact of Fusarium-Derived Mycoestrogens on Female Reproduction: A Systematic Review. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13060373. [PMID: 34073731 PMCID: PMC8225184 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13060373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Contamination of the world’s food supply and animal feed with mycotoxins is a growing concern as global temperatures rise and promote the growth of fungus. Zearalenone (ZEN), an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi, is a common contaminant of cereal grains and has also been detected at lower levels in meat, milk, and spices. ZEN’s synthetic derivative, zeranol, is used as a growth promoter in United States (US) and Canadian beef production. Experimental research suggests that ZEN and zeranol disrupt the endocrine and reproductive systems, leading to infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome-like phenotypes, pregnancy loss, and low birth weight. With widespread human dietary exposure and growing experimental evidence of endocrine-disrupting properties, a comprehensive review of the impact of ZEN, zeranol, and their metabolites on the female reproductive system is warranted. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize the in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological literature and evaluate the potential impact of ZEN, zeranol, and their metabolites (commonly referred to as mycoestrogens) on female reproductive outcomes. We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO registration CRD42020166469) of the literature (2000–2020) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The data sources were primary literature published in English obtained from searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The ToxR tool was applied to assess risk of bias. In vitro and in vivo studies (n = 104) were identified and, overall, evidence consistently supported adverse effects of mycoestrogens on physiological processes, organs, and tissues associated with female reproduction. In non-pregnant animals, mycoestrogens alter follicular profiles in the ovary, disrupt estrus cycling, and increase myometrium thickness. Furthermore, during pregnancy, mycoestrogen exposure contributes to placental hemorrhage, stillbirth, and impaired fetal growth. No epidemiological studies fitting the inclusion criteria were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn W. Kinkade
- Joint Graduate Program in Exposure Science, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (Z.R.-N.); (L.M.A.)
- Correspondence: (C.W.K.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Zorimar Rivera-Núñez
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (Z.R.-N.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Ludwik Gorcyzca
- Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08554, USA;
| | - Lauren M. Aleksunes
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (Z.R.-N.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Emily S. Barrett
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (Z.R.-N.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Correspondence: (C.W.K.); (E.S.B.)
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Insights into Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity in Cattle: An In Vitro Whole-Transcriptomic Approach. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12070429. [PMID: 32610656 PMCID: PMC7404968 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12070429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins, and particularly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), are toxic mycotoxins to humans and farm animal species, resulting in acute and chronic toxicities. At present, AFB1 is still considered a global concern with negative impacts on health, the economy, and social life. In farm animals, exposure to AFB1-contaminated feed may cause several untoward effects, liver damage being one of the most devastating ones. In the present study, we assessed in vitro the transcriptional changes caused by AFB1 in a bovine fetal hepatocyte-derived cell line (BFH12). To boost the cellular response to AFB1, cells were pre-treated with the co-planar PCB 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126), a known aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist. Three experimental groups were considered: cells exposed to the vehicle only, to PCB126, and to PCB126 and AFB1. A total of nine RNA-seq libraries (three replicates/group) were constructed and sequenced. The differential expression analysis showed that PCB126 induced only small transcriptional changes. On the contrary, AFB1 deeply affected the cell transcriptome, the majority of significant genes being associated with cancer, cellular damage and apoptosis, inflammation, bioactivation, and detoxification pathways. Investigating mRNA perturbations induced by AFB1 in cattle BFH12 cells will help us to better understand AFB1 toxicodynamics in this susceptible and economically important food-producing species.
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Rai A, Das M, Tripathi A. Occurrence and toxicity of a fusarium mycotoxin, zearalenone. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2019; 60:2710-2729. [DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1655388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Rai
- Food, Drugs and Chemical Toxicology Group, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) CSIR-IITR campus, Lucknow, India
| | - Mukul Das
- Food, Drugs and Chemical Toxicology Group, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) CSIR-IITR campus, Lucknow, India
| | - Anurag Tripathi
- Food, Drugs and Chemical Toxicology Group, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) CSIR-IITR campus, Lucknow, India
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Comparative Analysis of Zearalenone Effects on Thyroid Receptor Alpha (TRα) and Beta (TRβ) Expression in Rat Primary Cerebellar Cell Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051440. [PMID: 29751674 PMCID: PMC5983839 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid receptors play an important role in postnatal brain development. Zearalenone (ZEN), a major mycotoxin of Fusarium fungi, is well known to cause serious health problems in animals and humans through various mechanisms, including the physiological pathways of thyroid hormone (TH). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression of thyroid receptors α (TRα) and β (TRβ) in primary cerebellar neurons in the presence or absence of glia and following ZEN treatment, using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Primary cerebellar granule cells were treated with low doses of ZEN (0.1 nM) in combination with physiologically relevant concentrations of l-thyroxine (T4), 3,3′,5-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3) and 17β-estradiol (E2). Expression levels of TRα and TRβ at mRNA and protein levels were slightly modified by ZEN administered alone; however, along with thyroid and steroid hormones, modelling the physiological conditions, expression levels of TRs varied highly depending on the given treatment. Gene expression levels were also highly modulated by the presence or absence of glial cells, with mostly contrasting effects. Our results demonstrate divergent transcriptional and translational mechanisms involved in the expression of TRs implied by ZEN and hormonal milieu, as well as culturing conditions.
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Kowalska K, Habrowska-Górczyńska DE, Piastowska-Ciesielska AW. Zearalenone as an endocrine disruptor in humans. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2016; 48:141-149. [PMID: 27771507 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEA), a fungal mycotoxin, is present in a wide range of human foods. Many animal studies have found ZEA to possess a disruptive effect on the hormonal balance, mainly due to its similarity to naturally-occurring estrogens. With increasing consciousness of the adverse effects of endocrine disruptors on human health, it is becoming more important to monitor ZEA concentrations in food and identify its potential effects on human health. Based on a review of recent studies on animal models and molecular pathways in which ZEA is reported to have an influence on humans, we postulate that ZEA might act as an endocrine disruptor in humans in a similar way to animals. Moreover, its endocrine-disrupting effect might be also a causative factor in carcinogenesis. This review article summarizes the latest knowledge about the influence of ZEA on the human hormonal balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kowalska
- Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Training, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, Lodz 90-752, Poland
| | - Dominika Ewa Habrowska-Górczyńska
- Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Training, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, Lodz 90-752, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wanda Piastowska-Ciesielska
- Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Training, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, Lodz 90-752, Poland.
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Dellafiora L, Perotti A, Galaverna G, Buschini A, Dall'Asta C. On the masked mycotoxin zearalenone-14-glucoside. Does the mask truly hide? Toxicon 2016; 111:139-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.01.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Modulation of Aromatase by Phytoestrogens. Enzyme Res 2015; 2015:594656. [PMID: 26798508 PMCID: PMC4699002 DOI: 10.1155/2015/594656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The aromatase enzyme catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens in many human tissues. Estrogens are known to stimulate cellular proliferation associated with certain cancers and protect against adverse symptoms during the peri- and postmenopausal intervals. Phytoestrogens are a group of plant derived naturally occurring compounds that have chemical structures similar to estrogen. Since phytoestrogens are known to be constituents of animal/human food sources, these compounds have received increased research attention. Phytoestrogens may contribute to decreased cancer risk by the inhibition of aromatase enzyme activity and CYP19 gene expression in human tissues. This review covers (a) the aromatase enzyme (historical descriptions on function, activity, and gene characteristics), (b) phytoestrogens in their classifications and applications to human health, and (c) a chronological coverage of aromatase activity modulated by phytoestrogens from the early 1980s to 2015. In general, phytoestrogens act as aromatase inhibitors by (a) decreasing aromatase gene expression, (b) inhibiting the aromatase enzyme itself, or (c) in some cases acting at both levels of regulation. The findings presented herein are consistent with estrogen's impact on health and phytoestrogen's potential as anticancer treatments, but well-controlled, large-scale studies are warranted to determine the effectiveness of phytoestrogens on breast cancer and age-related diseases.
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