Exposure to Zearalenone Leads to Metabolic Disruption and Changes in Circulating Adipokines Concentrations in Pigs

Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin classified as an endocrine disruptor. Many endocrine disruptors are also metabolic disruptors able to modulate energy balance and inflammatory processes in a process often involving a family of protein hormones known as adipokines. The aim of our study was to elucidate the role of ZEN as metabolic disruptor in pigs by investigating the changes in energy balance and adipokines levels in response to different treatment diets. To this end, weaned piglets (n = 10/group) were exposed to either basal feed or feed contaminated with 680 and 1620 µg/kg ZEN for 28 days. Serum samples collected at days 7 and 21 were subjected to biochemistry analysis, followed by determination of adipokine levels using a combined approach of protein array and ELISA. Results indicate that ZEN has an impact on lipid and glucose metabolism that was different depending on the dose and time of exposure. In agreement with these changes, ZEN altered circulating adipokines concentrations, inducing significant changes in adiponectin, resistin, and fetuin B. Our results suggest that ZEN may function as a natural metabolism-disrupting chemical.

Influence of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone on the immunohistochemical expression of oestrogen receptors and liver enzyme genes in vivo in prepubertal gilts

“…Pre-pubertal females are characterised by low levels of endogenous oestrogens; therefore, the presence of ZEN in feed (administered alone and in combination with DON) could weaken ER ß expression (3 points) (Table 2 ) relative to the remaining groups (Gruber-Dorninger et al 2023 ; Zheng et al 2019 ). At the same time, this condition contributes to the slowing down of the maturation processes of prepubertal gilts and the deposition of spare substances (Nagl et al 2021 ).…”

Phytoestrogens and Health Effects

“…However, considering the incidence of zearalenone contamination in pig farming, several studies considering the effect of zearalenone supplementation on the metabolic biomarkers in pigs were published. In [ 165 ], in which zearalenone was tested at 680 and 1620 µg/kg, the mycotoxin was found to be a naturally metabolism-disrupting chemical. It was shown to have an impact on lipid and glucose blood concentrations.…”

Zearalenone Does Not Show Genotoxic Effects in the Drosophila melanogaster Wing Spot Test, but It Induces Oxidative Imbalance, Development, and Fecundity Alterations

“…Orally administered ZEN is absorbed in the gut and transformed into α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol (α-ZOL, β-ZOL, respectively) metabolites with higher estrogenic activity than ZEN [ 5 ]. These metabolites can reach vital organs, acting as significant endocrine disruptors and affecting reproductive functions in vertebrates [ 6 , 7 ]. ZEN has also been linked to early puberty and certain cancers in humans [ 8 ].…”