Zearalenone Affects Immune-Related Parameters in Lymphoid Organs and Serum of Rats Vaccinated with Porcine Parvovirus Vaccine

Abstract

Rats were administered zearalenone (ZEA) via gavage at dosages of 0, 1, 5, and 30 mg/kg for 36 days. On treatment day 8, inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccine (Vac) was injected intraperitoneally. Antibody production against porcine parvovirus was then measured as a function of ZEA treatment. Compared to the vaccine alone, ZEA treatment, with or without Vac, decreased the serum level of IgG. The level of IgM decreased in all ZEA groups at day 22, but the decrease was sustained only in the medium-dose ZEA group at day 36. The level of IgA was unchanged in the Vac only and ZEA groups at day 22, but was decreased in the 5 mg/kg ZEA plus Vac group compared to the Vac only group at day 36. The level of IgE was decreased by all doses of ZEA at day 22, but was unaffected in ZEA plus Vac groups compared to the Vac only group. The levels of IL-1 in the thymus and spleen; INF-γ in serum; IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 in the thymus; and IL-10 and IFN-γ in the spleen decreased after ZEA administration. Furthermore, the levels of IL-1β in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node, IL-1β in the thymus, IL-2 in the thymus and spleen, IL-6 in the thymus, IL-10 and IFN-γ in the spleen, and GM-CSF and TNF-α in the thymus decreased after vaccination in rats exposed to ZEA. In conclusion, these results suggest that ZEA exposure via drinking water can cause an immunosuppressive effect by decreasing immunoglobulins in serum and cytokines in lymphoid organs.

Effects of Dietary Exposure to Zearalenone (ZEN) on Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

“…Immunological alterations due to ZEN application have also been observed in the intestine, in thymocytes and splenocytes of rodents [ 59 , 60 ]. The effects of ZEN on immune cells have shown to be related to altered cytokine expression in chicken, swine and rats [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. Whether the effects of ZEN on immune function in carp also involve altered cytokine expression remains to be investigated.…”

Zearalenone Mycotoxin Affects Immune Mediators, MAPK Signalling Molecules, Nuclear Receptors and Genome-Wide Gene Expression in Pig Spleen

“…Similar effect on splenic cytokines was also observed in other farm and laboratory animal species. ZEA leaded to an increase of IL-2 and IFN- γ and a decrease of IL-6 gene expression in poultry stimulated splenic lymphocytes [ 60 ], while in a comparative study aiming to evaluate the effects of ZEA exposure via drinking water on immune-related parameters in different lymphoid organs, the level of IL-1, IL-10, and IFN-γ decreased in spleen of rats vaccinated or not against parvovirus vaccine and exposed to ZEA compared to those treated with vaccine alone [ 61 ].…”

Occurrence, toxicity, production and detection of Fusarium mycotoxin: a review

“…In addition, ZEN exhibits relatively low acute toxicity (oral LD 50 values > 2000-20,000 mg/kg bw) after oral administration in mice, rats, and guinea pigs (Schoevers et al 2012). Furthermore, ZEN is immunotoxic, hepatotoxic, hematotoxic, nephrotoxic and enhances lipid peroxidation (Choi et al 2012). ZEN induces liver lesions and subsequent hepatocarcinoma, and alters hepatic function in rabbits, rats, and gilts (Pistol et al 2014).…”