Retinol, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol prevent DNA adduct formation in mice treated with the mycotoxins ochratoxin A and zearalenone

Cancer Lett. 1997 Mar 19;114(1-2):225-9. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3835(97)04669-7.

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA), and zearalenone (ZEN), two mycotoxins, have been implicated in numerous mycotoxicoses in farm animals and are genotoxic. Several adducts were detected in mouse and rat kidney after a single administration of OTA and in mice organs after zearalenone treatment which induces hepatocellular adenomas. The effects of some vitamins such as retinol (A), ascorbic acid (C) and alpha-tocopherol (E), which are known to act as superoxide anion scavengers, were tested on OTA genotoxicity. Pretreatment of mice by vitamin E decreased DNA adducts by 80% in kidney. Vitamin A decreased DNA adduct levels by 70% and Vitamin C by 90% in kidney. In the same way, pretreatment of female mice with alpha-tocopherol before administration of zearalenone inhibited significantly DNA adduct formation in liver and in kidney. The total DNA adduct level after E treatment was decreased by 45% and 58% in liver and kidney respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • DNA Adducts / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mycotoxins / pharmacology
  • Ochratoxins / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin A / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology*
  • Zearalenone / pharmacology*

Substances

  • DNA Adducts
  • Mycotoxins
  • Ochratoxins
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E
  • ochratoxin A
  • Zearalenone
  • Ascorbic Acid