The mechanism of patulin's cytotoxicity and the antioxidant activity of indole tetramic acids

A new competitive fluorescence assay for the detection of patulin toxin

Patulin is a toxic secondary metabolite of a number of fungal species belonging to the genera Penicillum and Aspergillus. It has been mainly isolated from apples and apple products contaminated with the common storage-rot fungus of apples, Penicillum expansum, but it has also been extracted from rotten fruits, moldy feeds, and stored cheese. Human exposure to patulin can lead to serious health problems, and according to a long-term investigation in rats, the World Health Organization has set a tolerable weekly intake of 7 ppb body weight. The content of patulin in foods has been restricted to 50 ppb in many countries. Conventional analytical detection methods involve chromatographic analyses, such as HPLC, GC, and, more recently, techniques such as LC/MS and GC/MS. However, extensive protocols of sample cleanup are required prior to the analysis, and to accomplish it, expensive analytical instrumentation is necessary. An immunochemical analytical method, based on highly specific antigen-antibody interactions, would be desirable, offering several advantages compared to conventional techniques, i.e., low cost per sample, high selectivity, high sensitivity, and high throughput. In this paper, the synthesis of two new derivatives of patulin is described, along with their conjugation to the bovine serum albumin for the production of polyclonal antibodies. Finally, a fluorescence competitive immunoassay was developed for the on-line detection of patulin.

Evaluation of different biological test systems to assess the toxicity of metabolites from fungal biocontrol agents

The development of fungal biocontrol agents (BCAs) as alternatives to chemical pesticides is of increasing public interest. Tools to assess the toxicity of the secondary metabolites that these BCAs produce are often not available or existing methods have not yet been evaluated for these compounds. This study compares five different test systems, which include a representative bacterium, protozoan, arthropod and insect and human cell lines, as regards their sensitivity. It also compares the cost in time and resources for conducting the tests. Pure metabolites and crude extracts from two fungal BCAs as well as two chemical pesticides (hoestar and chlorpyrifos) and the mycotoxin patulin were employed as test compounds. All tests systems proved to be suitable for toxicity studies of metabolites from fungal BCAs and showed different grades of sensitivity to the different substances. The possibility of employing an array of test systems to determine ecotoxicological properties is discussed.

Patulin reduces glutathione level and enzyme activities in rat liver slices

In the present study, an attempt was made to identify glutathione (GSH) adducts of patulin in precision-cut rat liver slices, which were used as a model system to study the metabolism and biological effects of this mycotoxin. Patulin disappeared in the slices but none of the GSH adducts, previously demonstrated in the chemical reaction of patulin with GSH, could be detected by HPLC. After incubation with various concentrations of patulin, a concentration-dependent decline of the GSH level was observed in the slices. For example, only 25% of the GSH of controls was found with 200 microM patulin. The activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and of drug metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes, assayed by the hydroxylation and conjugation of testosterone, were also reduced. On the other hand, incubation with patulin markedly increased lipid peroxidation in the slices. The effects of patulin on enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation may be a consequence of the GSH decline, which cannot be accounted for by a direct reaction of patulin with GSH due to the high concentration of GSH in hepatocytes. The decrease of GSH level and GST activity may be related to the putative mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of patulin.

Mutagenicity of the mycotoxin patulin in cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells, and its modulation by intracellular glutathione

Because the ability of the mycotoxin patulin (PAT) to cause gene mutations in mammalian cells is still ambiguous, we have studied the mutagenicity of PAT at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene locus in cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells with normal, depleted, and elevated glutathione (GSH) levels. PAT was more toxic to GSH-depleted cells than to normal cells and caused an increase of the intracellular GSH level in normal and GSH-depleted cells. It also caused synchronization of the cell cycle due to a temporary accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase; this G2/M arrest was more persistent in GSH-depleted than in normal cells. PAT gave rise to a clear and concentration-dependent induction of HPRT mutations at non-cytotoxic concentrations in V79 cells with normal GSH level; the lowest PAT concentration causing a significant number of mutant cells was 0.3 micromolar, and the mutagenic potency of PAT equaled that of the established mutagen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide. The mutagenicity of PAT was again more pronounced, by a factor of about three, in GSH-depleted V79 cells. Elevated GSH levels abolished all observed effects of PAT. These data support the notion that PAT is a mutagenic mycotoxin, in particular in cells with low GSH concentration. The ability of PAT to cause gene mutations in mammalian cells might have a bearing on its carcinogenicity.

Combined toxic effects of mycotoxins

It is known for many years that several food items, derived from plants infected by fungi in the field during growing of the plant or during harvest and storage of the food item, can contain concomitantly different mycotoxins. As these combined mycotoxins occur simultaneously in the food item, consumption of the food will lead to a combined intake depending on the absorption rates of the different mycotoxins. Therefore, the question is justified whether such a combined intake of mycotoxins would lead to a possible higher risk for adverse health effects than the intake of one of these mycotoxins alone. It will be dealt with on the basis of some practical cases of such combined intake of mycotoxins of which research data are available. This is the case for citrinin and ochratoxin A, but as the workshop focuses on trichotecenes and so this paper concentrates on these. When the mycotoxins are of similar structure and of the same species, or of the same families, it is likely to expect that the mode of action of the mycotoxins and or the toxicity profiles will be quite similar. This indicates that such related mycotoxins are likely to exert only additive effects, which is important to know. In terms of risk assessment, these mycotoxins could be dealt with by establishing a group daily tolerable intake (TDI) or a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). In terms of risk assessment those mycotoxins which interact in synergistic manner are of more concern. It is concluded that, at present tools are not fully developed to establish the type of interaction or whether there is any interaction at all.

Investigation of the effects of patulin on thyroid and testis, and hormone levels in growing male rats

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssachlamys. Patulin can be produced on different food products including fruits, grains, cheese, cured meats, but in natural situations patulin is usually found in apple and apple products. In the present study, the time-dependent effects of patulin on the T3, T4, thyroid stimulating hormone, testosterone, luteinizing hormone and growth hormone levels of growing male rats were investigated. Patulin, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg bw/day, was administered by gavage to growing male rats aged 5-6 weeks for a period of 60 or 90 days. The dose of patulin used in the present study was based on estimated human exposure levels. At the end of the experiment, serum T3, T4, TSH, testosterone, LH and GH levels of rats in control and treatment groups were analysed. In addition, the thyroid and testes were histopathologically examined by light microscopy. Results revealed that while patulin caused an increase (66.6%) in testosterone levels and a decrease (17.3%) in T4 levels of rats treated for 60 days, there was no change in the other hormone levels compared to those of the control group. When patulin treatment was extended to 90 days, increased serum testosterone (75%) and LH levels (146%) were observed. In histological examinations of the testes of rats treated with patulin, oedema, fibrosis and local Leydig cell hyperplasia in the interstitial tissue, and disorganization of seminiferous tubule epithelium were also observed. In addition, the thyroid of rats treated with patulin revealed lymphoid cell inflitration and enlargement of interstitial tissue between follicles, and degenerated colloid.

Prevention of patulin toxicity on rumen microbial fermentation by SH-containing reducing agents

Patulin, a toxic fungal metabolite, negatively affects rumen fermentation. This mycotoxin has also been associated with intoxication cases in cattle. This study investigates the use of SH-containing reducing compounds to prevent patulin's negative effects on the rumen microbial ecosystem. The effect of 50 microg/mL patulin on the fermentation of alfalfa hay was measured in batch cultures with and without reducing agents. Sulfhydryl-containing cysteine and glutathione prevented the negative effects of the toxin on dry matter degradation, gas, and volatile fatty acid production (P < 0.01). However, non-sulfhydryl-containing ascorbic and ferulic acids did not protect against patulin's toxicity (P > 0.01). Patulin was unstable in buffered rumen fluid as the concentration decreased by half after 4 h of incubation. In the presence of sulfhydryl groups, the toxin disappeared rapidly and was not detected after 1 h of incubation. The utilization of sulfhydryl-containing compounds such as cysteine to avert patulin toxicity could have practical implications in ruminant nutrition.

Evaluation of genotoxic risk and oxidative DNA damage in mammalian cells exposed to mycotoxins, patulin and citrinin

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites with very diversified toxic effects in humans and animals. In the present study, patulin (PAT) and citrinin (CTN), two prevalent mycotoxins, were evaluated for their genotoxic effects and oxidative damage to mammalian cells, including Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1), human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). PAT, but not CTN, caused a significant dose-dependent increase in sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency in both CHO-K1 and human lymphocytes. PAT also elevated the levels of DNA gap and break in treated CHO-K1. In the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay, exposure of HEK293 to concentrations above 15 microM of PAT induced DNA strand breaks; the tail moment values also greatly increased after posttreatment with formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg). This suggests that in human cells PAT is a potent clastogen with the ability to cause oxidative damage to DNA. However, no significant change in the tail moment values in CTN-treated cultures was found, suggesting that CTN is not genotoxic to HEK293. Incubation of HEK293 with CTN increased the mRNA level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), but not that of human 8-hydroxyguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (hOGG1). PAT treatment did not modulate the expression of either HSP70 or hOGG1 mRNA.

Protective effects of antioxidants on age-related changes in the electrophoretic patterns of cardiac LDH, hepatic ALP and serum proteins in male golden hamster

Basal and antioxidant-induced changes in the isoenzyme and isoform patterns of cardiac lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) and hepatic alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), respectively, as well as the electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins in different age groups of male golden hamster were compared. This is to test whether age-induced changes could be corrected by long-term administration of antioxidants. Data indicated that aging causes no remarkable change in the total activity of either cardiac LDH or hepatic ALP, however a significant increase in the fractional activity of some cardiac LDH isoenzymes and a significant reduction in the fractional activity of some hepatic ALP isoforms were induced by aging. On the other hand, long-term administration of antioxidants appeared to manifest a clear counteracting effect on the age-related changes in old age. This effect was indicated in the fractional activity of cardiac LDH isoenzymes and of hepatic ALP isoforms. The present study has also shown a wide-range variation in serum protein patterns due to aging and/or antioxidant administration, which indirectly reflect a parallel variation in the process of gene expression and/or proteolytic activity.

The mycotoxin patulin alters the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium: mechanism of action of the toxin and protective effects of glutathione

Patulin is a mycotoxin mainly found in apple and apple products. In addition to being toxic for animals, mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic, patulin induces intestinal injuries, including epithelial cell degeneration, inflammation, ulceration, and hemorrhages. In a study of the cellular mechanisms associated with the intestinal toxicity of patulin, two human epithelial intestinal cell lines (HT-29-D4 and Caco-2-14) were exposed to the mycotoxin. Micromolar concentrations of patulin were found to induce a rapid and dramatic decrease of transepithelial resistance (TER) in both cell lines without major signs of toxicity as assessed by the LDH release assay. Since TER reflects the organization of tight junctions, these data indicate that patulin affected the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium. The inhibitory effect of patulin on TER was closely associated with its reactivity for SH groups: (i) cysteine and glutathione prevented the cells from patulin injury; (ii) patulin toxicity was potentiated by buthionine sulfoximine, a specific glutathione-depleting agent; (iii) treatment of the cells with N-ethylmaleimide, a compound known to react with SH groups, resulted in a marked decrease of TER. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of patulin on TER was mimicked and potentiated by phenylarsine oxide, a specific inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP). This cellular enzyme is a key regulator of intestinal epithelial barrier function. The active site of PTP contains a cysteine residue (Cys215) that is essential for phosphatase activity. Sulfhydryl-reacting compounds such as acetaldehyde decrease TER through covalent modification of Cys215 of PTP. We propose that the toxicity of patulin for intestinal cells involves, among other potential mechanisms, an inactivation of the active site of PTP.

Culture supernatants of patient-derived Aspergillus isolates have toxic and lytic activity towards neurons and glial cells

Infection of the central nervous system by the ubiquitous fungi Aspergillus spp. is a life-threatening disease. Therefore we investigated the mechanism of brain damage by fungal infection. To examine whether secretory factors of Aspergillus isolates derived from patients can induce death of different brain cells, culture supernatants of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus niger were added to different astrocytes as well as to the neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH, and to the microglial cell line CHME. All four fungal species were shown to secrete toxic factors with neurons being most sensitive against these factors. Very low amounts and short incubation times are sufficient to induce irreversible cell damage, indicating that secreted factors might also affect distant brain regions. Further characterization of the toxic factors revealed that A. fumigatus and A. terreus produced small, heat-stable components whereas the toxic activity of A. niger filtrates was triggered by a high molecular mass factor which could be inactivated by heat. The active component of A. flavus had a molecular mass similar to that of A. niger but was heat-stable and had a significantly lower activity. Taken together these results indicate that secretion of different necrotizing factors might contribute to brain lesions in patients with cerebral aspergillosis.

Protection from glutathione depletion by a glyconutritional mixture of saccharides

A complex glyconutritional (GN) mixture of mono-, di-and polysaccharides was investigated to assess its capacity to protect two different types of rodent cells, rat hepatocytes and mouse splenocytes, from depletion of glutathione by a sulfhydryl-reactive mycotoxin, patulin, or by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection, respectively. Rat hepatocytes were treated with the GN mixture in vitro or received carrier medium only prior to treatment with patulin. When treated with the GN mixture prior to patulin exposure hepatocytes demonstrated protection against depletion of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH). Cells treated with the GN for up to 15 hours prior to patulin exposure showed no increase in protection of GSH above that demonstrated by cells treated for 3 hours. Mice were infected with CVB3 and one treatment group was injected intraperitoneally with the GN once a week. Animals were splenectomized each month over a ten month treatment for analysis of spleen monocytic cells. Splenocytes from mice treated with the GN mixture did not show the virally-associated depletion of intracellular GSH or damage to pancreatic acini observed in CVB3 inoculated but non-GN-treated mice. Animals from which spleen cells were taken for analysis showed no decrease in anti-CVB3 antibodies and no decrease in viral titers to accompany or explain the normal levels of intracellular GSH. These data strongly suggest that a complex mixture of exogenous saccharides exerts a protective effect on liver cells in vitro in that the cells are protected from chemically initiated depletion of intracellular GSH, and on spleen cells in vivo in that the cells are protected against a CVB3-initiated decrease in intracellular GSH and increase in pancreatic acini damage.

Immunological evaluation of the mycotoxin patulin in female B6C3F1 mice

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by many fungal species of the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus and Bryssochamys. Previous literature reports have suggested that patulin is toxic to the immune system. The studies presented were conducted to provide a comprehensive assessment of the effects of patulin on the immune system. Unlike previous reports, the doses of patulin used (0.08, 0.16, 0.32, 0.64, 1.28 and 2.56 mg/kg) were based on predicted human exposure levels. Female B6C3F1 mice were exposed orally to patulin for 28 days. Effects were not observed on final body weight or body weight gain. Relative weight of the liver, spleen, thymus, kidneys with adrenals, and lungs was not affected. Peripheral blood leucocyte and lymphocyte counts were decreased by approximately 30% in the two highest dose groups. The leucocyte differential was not altered. Total spleen cell, total T-cell (CD3+), helper T-cell (CD4+CD8-), B-cell (surface immunoglobulin+) and monocyte (MAC-3+) counts were not changed. Cytotoxic T-cell (CD8+CD4-) counts were increased 50% only by the highest dose. Natural killer cell (NK1.1+CD3-) and monocyte (MAC-1+) counts were increased 30% and 24%, respectively, only in the 0.08 mg/kg group. Humoral immune function as assessed by antibody-forming cell response and serum IgM titre to sheep erythrocytes, and cell-mediated immune function evaluated utilizing natural killer cell activity and the mixed lymphocyte reaction were not altered. Oral exposure to patulin for 28 days did not alter the ability of female B6C3F1 mice to mount either a cell-mediated or humoral immune response.

Comparative toxicity of eugenol and its quinone methide metabolite in cultured liver cells using kinetic fluorescence bioassays

Comparative kinetic analyses of the mechanisms of toxicity of the alkylphenol eugenol and its putative toxic metabolite (quinone methide, EQM) were carried out in cultured rat liver cells (Clone 9, ATCC) using a variety of vital fluorescence bioassays with a Meridian Ultima laser cytometer. Parameters monitored included intracellular GSH and calcium levels ([Ca2+]i), mitochondrial and plasma membrane potentials (MMP and PMP), intracellular pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and gap junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC). Cells were exposed to various concentrations of test compounds (1 to 1000 microM) and all parameters monitored directly after addition at 15 s intervals for at least 10 min. Eugenol depleted intracellular GSH, inhibited GJIC and generation of ROS, and had a modest effect on MMP at concentrations of 10 to 100 microM. At high concentrations (1000 microM), eugenol also affected [Ca2+]i, PMP, and pH. Effects of EQM were seen at lower concentrations (1 to 10 microM). The earliest and most potent effects of either eugenol or EQM were seen on GSH levels and GJIC. Coadministration of glutathione ethyl ester enhanced intracellular GSH levels by almost 100% and completely protected cells from cell death caused by eugenol and EQM. These results suggest that eugenol mediates its hepatotoxic effects primarily through depletion of cytoprotective thiols and interference in thiol-dependent processes such as GJIC. Furthermore, our results support the hypothesis that the toxic effects of eugenol are mediated through its quinone methide metabolite.

Oxidative degradation and detoxification of mycotoxins using a novel source of ozone

Practical methods to degrade mycotoxins using ozone gas (O3) have been limited due to low O3 production capabilities of conventional systems and their associated costs. Recent advances in electrochemistry (i.e. proton-exchange membrane and electrolysis technologies) have made available a novel and continuous source of O3 gas up to 20% by weight. It is possible that the rapid delivery of high concentrations of O3 will result in mycotoxin degradation in contaminated grains--with minimal destruction of nutrients. The major objectives of this study were to investigate the degradation and detoxification of common mycotoxins in the presence of high concentrations of O3. In this study, aqueous equimolar (32 microM) solutions of aflatoxins B1 (AfB1), B2 (AfB2), G1 (AfG1), G2 (AfG2), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), fumonisin B1 (FB1), ochratoxin A (OA), patulin, secalonic acid D (SAD) and zearalenone (ZEN) were treated with 2, 10 and/or 20 weight% O3 over a period of 5.0 min and analysed by HPLC. Results indicated that AfB1 and AfG1 were rapidly degraded using 2% O3, while AfB2 and AfG2 were more resistant to oxidation and required higher levels of O3 (20%) for rapid degradation. In other studies, patulin, CPA, OA, SAD and ZEN were degraded at 15 sec, with no by-products detectable by HPLC. Additionally, the toxicity of these compounds (measured by a mycotoxin-sensitive bioassay) was significantly decreased following treatment with O3 for 15 sec. In another study, FB1 (following reaction with O3) was rapidly degraded at 15 sec, with the formation of new products. One of these appeared to be a 3-keto derivative of FB1. Importantly, degradation of FB1 did not correlate with detoxification, since FB1 solutions treated with O3 were still positive in two bioassay systems.

Increased IL-1, IL-6 and TNF alpha secretion and mRNA levels in WEHI-3 cells exposed to cyclopiazonic acid

The effects of the mycotoxin cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) on cytokine secretion and gene expression were evaluated in the WEHI-3 murine macrophage cell line. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated and non-stimulated cells were exposed to various concentrations of CPA and culture supernatants were assessed for interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6 and TNFalpha by ELISA. Without LPS stimulation, only IL-6 was increased by CPA at 5000 ng/ml after 1, 2 and 3 days. With LPS stimulation, IL-1 beta was elevated in the presence of 500 and 1000 ng/ml of CPA at 1 day and 500, 1000 and 5000 ng/ml at 2 days and 3 days. TNF alpha was increased by 1000 ng/ml CPA at 12 h and by 500, 1000 and 5000 ng/ml CPA at 1-3 days. IL-6 levels were increased in the presence of 100, 500 and 1000 CPA ng/ml at both 12 h and 3 days and in the presence of 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 ng/ml CPA at both 1 day and 2 days. The cytokine effects were further related to proliferation and cell viability using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Proliferation was increased relative to controls in the presence of 50-1000 ng/ml of CPA in LPS-stimulated cells and in the presence of 500-1000 ng/ml CPA in unstimulated cells. In contrast, proliferation was markedly inhibited by 5000 ng/ml CPA in both stimulated and unstimulated cells. To relate the effect of CPA on IL secretion to mRNA transcript levels, LPS-stimulated cells were incubated with 1000 ng/ml of CPA for 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h and cytokine mRNA levels were evaluated using RT-PCR in combination with Southern hybridization analysis. In the presence of LPS only, IL-1 beta and IL-6 mRNA peaked at 8 h and 4 h, respectively, and then decreased whereas TNF alpha mRNA was strongly expressed from 2-8 h and markedly decreased at 12 h. In the presence of LPS and CPA, however, IL-1 beta and IL-6 mRNA levels gradually increased up to 24 h reaching 2.5 and 29-fold higher than controls, respectively. In contrast, TNF alpha mRNA levels slowly decreased after 8 h but remained markedly elevated relative to controls. Taken together, these results suggest that CPA can superinduce both secretion and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines associated with macrophage activation. Cytokine upregulation was not always consistent with proliferative effects.

Effects of mycotoxins on cytokine production and proliferation in EL-4 thymoma cells

The thymoma cell line EL4.IL-2 (EL-4) was used as a T-cell model to assess the immunotoxic effects of several mycotoxins produced by the Aspergillus-Penicillium and the Fusarium groups. EL-4 cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 12-acetate (PMA) in the presence of mycotoxins at various concentrations for 5 d and culture supernatants were analyzed for interleukins (IL) IL-2 and IL-5 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cytokine effects were further related to proliferation and cell viability using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay with absorbance at 570 nm (A570) as the endpoint indicator. IL-2 and IL-5 levels were dramatically increased by cyclopiazonic acid at 50-1000 ng/ml, whereas IL-2 was significantly decreased at 10 microgram/ml. Proliferation was slightly increased at 100-1000 ng/ml cyclopiazonic acid but markedly depressed at 5 and 10 microgram/ml. When EL-4 cells were exposed to 5 and 10 microgram/ml of ochratoxin A, IL-2 production was markedly increased while IL-5 production was significantly decreased. The A570 was significantly decreased by ochratoxin A at 10 microgram/ml. IL-2 and Il-5 production was almost totally suppressed by patulin at concentrations > or = 500 ng/ml and by T-2 toxin at > or = 5 ng/ml. These effects occurred concurrently with marked depression of A570 in the MTT assay. Although A570 was unaffected by either zearalenone or alpha-zearalenol exposure, both IL-2 and IL-5 levels were significantly elevated by these toxins at 5 or 10 microgram/ml. IL-2 and IL-5 production were not affected in EL-4 cells cultured with either the Aspergillus-Penicillium toxins aflatoxin B1 and secalonic acid or the Fusarium toxins wortmannin, fumonisin B1, or fusaric acid at concentrations up to 10 microgram/ml. In total, the EL-4 culture studies indicated that cyclopiazonic acid, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and alpha-zearalenol could stimulate cytokine production whereas patulin and T-2 toxin were inhibitory. Cytokine dysregulation was not always related directly to perturbations in proliferation. The results suggest that the EL-4 thymoma cell line could be a simple and effective in vitro model for evaluating immunotoxicity of various classes of environmental chemicals.

Inhibition of Ca2+ transport pathways in thymic lymphocytes by econazole, miconazole, and SKF 96365

Cytochrome P-450 has been proposed to underlie the mechanism of regulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ permeability by the Ca2+ content of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ pool. We have investigated the effects on divalent cation uptake in rat thymic lymphocytes of three structurally related imidazole reagents reported to inhibit redox mechanisms. Changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and intracellular Mn2+ concentration were measured fluorimetrically with indo-1 and/or quin-2. Econazole, miconazole, and SKF 96365 were found to be potent blockers of Ca2+ and Mn2+ uptake activated by release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores induced by thapsigargin. Additionally, we found that concentrations of these agents required to abolish divalent cation uptake also released Ca2+ from the thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular stores, consistent with inhibition of the endosomal Ca(2+)-ATPase. In agreement with this suggestion, we have found that all three of these agents are potent inhibitors of isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. We conclude that econazole, miconazole, and SKF 96365 inhibit cytochrome P-450-independent filling of intracellular Ca2+ pools, as well as store-regulated Ca2+ entry, and caution against the use of these compounds as selective inhibitors of cytochrome P-450.

Comparison of three tetramic acids and their ability to alter membrane function in cultured skeletal muscle cells and sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles

Cyclopiazonic acid is a potent inhibitor of calcium uptake and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum. In L6 muscle myoblasts, cyclopiazonic acid stimulates the uptake of tetraphenylphosphonium, a lipophilic membrane potential probe, and has antioxidant properties. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the structural requirements necessary for causing the surface charge alterations, and the antioxidant activity in L6 skeletal muscle myoblasts, and for inhibition of calcium transport by rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. This was accomplished by comparing the effects of two structurally related tetramic acids, cyclopiazonic acid imine and tenuazonic acid, with cyclopiazonic acid. Cyclopiazonic acid imine inhibited oxalate-assisted 45Ca2+ uptake and ATPase activity in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles and stimulated tetraphenylphosphonium accumulation by L6 muscle myoblasts. However, these effects required an approximately fourfold higher concentration than that of cyclopiazonic acid. Tenuazonic acid, up to 1 mM, had no effect on oxalate-assisted 45Ca2+ uptake or Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles and did not stimulate tetraphenylphosphonium accumulation by L6 muscle myoblasts. Cyclopiazonic acid was only slightly more effective than cyclopiazonic acid imine at preventing the patulin-induced increase in thiobarbituric acid positive substance (used to estimate lipid peroxidation); tenuazonic acid was totally ineffective. Previously, it was shown that cyclopiazonic acid was twice as effective as cyclopiazonic acid imine at preventing increases in thiobarbituric acid positive substance in cultured renal cells, LLC-PK1. Thus, the indole nucleus of cyclopiazonic acid is essential for the membrane-associated biological activity; however, modification of the acetyl group reduces the potency of the activity.

Patulin-induced cellular toxicity: a vital fluorescence study

The mechanisms of patulin-induced cellular toxicity in an immortalized rat granulosa cell line were examined using several vital fluorescence bioassays. Monochlorobimane and 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate were used to monitor cellular glutathione (GSH) levels and revealed dose- and time-dependent depletion of GSH by patulin. A significant reduction in the fluorescence of the monochlorobimane-GSH conjugate by 0.1 microM patulin was observed between 1 and 2 hr. Similar GSH depletion by the mycotoxin was also observed in parallel studies on a liver (Clone 9) and a renal (LLC-PK1) cell line, although reduction of fluorescence occurred within 1 hr at the same dosage. Analysis of the electrical potential-dependent partitioning of rhodamine 123 into mitochondria also revealed significant effects of patulin within 1 hr at 0.1 microM. An initial dose-dependent reduction in mitochondrial fluorescence was followed by loss of selective partitioning of the fluorophore into mitochondria at higher doses and/or a longer exposure of cells to patulin. The reduction in mitochondrial fluorescence was paralleled by a dose-dependent decrease in intracellular pH detected with 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Analysis of [Ca2+]i with indo-1 and fluo-3 revealed a significant dose-dependent influx of Ca2+ at 10 microM and an alteration of the pattern of ionomycin-induced Ca2+ influx at 1.0 microM following patulin treatment. A carboxyfluorescein fluorescence photobleaching assay was used to examine the effects of patulin on gap junction-mediated intercellular communication. Dose-dependent reduction in intercellular communication was observed within 2 hr with 1.0 microM patulin. These observations indicate that the fluorescence assays used in this study provide a sensitive index of toxicity caused by exposure to patulin. Further, the toxic effects of patulin may involve direct effects on cellular glutathione levels and mitochondrial function in addition to direct effects on the plasma membrane.