The Influence of Zearalenone on Selected Hemostatic Parameters in Sexually Immature Gilts

Abstract

Vascular toxicity induced by xenobiotics is associated with dysfunctions or damage to endothelial cells, changes in vascular permeability or dysregulation of the vascular redox state. The aim of this study was to determine whether per os administration of zearalenone (ZEN) influences selected hemostatic parameters in prepubertal gilts. This study was performed on female gilts divided into a control group which received placebo and an experimental group which received ZEN at a dose of 5.0 µg·kg−1 b.w. × day−1. On days 14, 28 and 42, blood samples were collected from the animals for analyses of hematological, coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters, nitric oxide, von Willebrand factor antigen content and catalase activity. The results demonstrated that the treatment of gilts with ZEN at a dose below no observable adverse effect level did not affect the primary hemostasis and the blood coagulation cascade. However, ZEN could have temporarily affected the selected indicators of endothelial cell function (increase of von Willebrand factor, decrease of nitric oxide levels) and the oxidative status plasma (decrease of catalase activity) of the exposed gilts. In summary, these results suggest that the adaptive response to ZEN-exposure can induce a transient imbalance in the vascular system by acting on vascular endothelial cells.

Immunohistochemical Expression (IE) of Oestrogen Receptors in the Intestines of Prepubertal Gilts Exposed to Zearalenone

“…In turn, ERβ silencing increases the risk of duodenal inflammation and enhances oncogenesis not only in the gastrointestinal tract, but also in the reproductive system [ 22 , 40 , 45 , 46 , 57 ]. Deletion processes suggest that ERβ has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties, and exerts chemopreventive effects in the colon [ 58 ], which was confirmed in a study of low-dose ZEN mycotoxicosis [ 59 ].…”

“…Apart from the previously published research on the effects of E 2 deficiency in prepubertal animals, another issue should be addressed. Williams et al [ 46 ] and Gajęcka et al [ 59 ] reported that selected phytoestrogens (silymarin and silibinin) and mycoestrogens (ZEN) have a selective affinity for ERβ [ 60 , 61 ]. This is the result of the increased expression of the ERβ gene, suggesting that natural exogenous dietary oestrogens may have anti-inflammatory properties [ 35 ].…”

“…The slides were converted into digital images ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). The profile of nuclear detection and staining intensity were as previously described [ 59 ].…”

Effects of the selection process on malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase levels, and the performance of gilts under tropical environmental conditions

“…The value reported herein was lower than that of Jakimiuk et al . [ 45 ] for both controls and stress-challenged gilts. Previous studies have shown that CAT activity increases in response to oxidant concentration [ 44 , 46 ].…”