Evaluation of the protective effects of α-tocopherol and retinol against ochratoxin A cytotoxicity

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin frequently present in food and feedstuffs, produces a wide range of toxic effects, including cell death via lipid peroxidation. In one human and four animal cell lines we determined the half lethal concentration (LC 50 ) of OTA, its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and its ability to induce cytochrome p450 activity. We also examined the protective effect of α-tocopherol and all- trans -retinol in the most sensitive cell lines (i.e. bovine mammary epithelia, for which LC 50 was 0·8μg/ml (24h), and Madin Darby canine kidney, for which LC 50 was 4·3μg/ml (48h)). Pre-incubation for 3h with either antioxidant significantly ( P <0·05) ameliorated the OTA-induced reduction in cell viability and significantly decreased ( P <0·05) ROS production. These findings indicate that oxidative stress is an important factor in OTA cytotoxicity. Supplementation with antioxidant molecules may counteract the short-term toxicity of this mycotoxin.