ABSTRACT
Zearalenone (hereafter referred to as ZEA) is a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium spp. on cereal grains. ZEA is one of the most hazardous natural endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) which induces hyper estrogenic responses in mammals. This can result in reproductive disorders in farm animals as well as in humans. Consequently, detoxification strategies for contaminated crops are crucial for food safety. In this study we have developed a bacterial based detoxification system using a non-pathogen Rhodococcus pyridinivorans K408 strain. Following 5 days treatment of ZEA with R. pyridinivorans K408 strain HPLC analyses showed an 87.21% ZEA-degradation efficiency of the bacterial enzyme systems. In another approach, the strain biotransformation ability has also been confirmed by a bioluminescent version of the yeast estrogen screening system (BLYES), which detected an 81.75% of biodegradability of ZEA, in a good agreement with the chemical analyses. Furthermore, the capacity of R. pyridinivorans to eliminate the estrogenic effects of ZEA was tested by using an immature uterotrophic assay. Prepubertal female rats were treated with vehicle (olive oil), 17ß-estradiol, ZEA (0.1-1-5-10 mg/kg body weight) and LB broth containing 500 mg/l ZEA that has already been incubated with or without Rhodococcus pyridinivorans K408 strain. Uterine weights were measured and the mRNA level changes relating to apelin, aquaporin 5, complement component 2, and calbindin-3 genes were measured by qRT-PCR. These genes represent the major pathways that are affected by estromimetic compounds. Zearalenone feeding significantly increased the uterus weight in a dose dependent manner and at the same time upregulated complement component 2 and calbindin-3 expression as well as decreased apelin and aquaporin 5 mRNA levels comparable to that seen in 17ß-estradiol exposed rats. In contrast, LB broth in which ZEA was incubated with Rhodococcus pyridinivorans K408 prior to the feeding did not display any estrogenic effect neither on uterine weight nor on the expression of estrogen-regulated genes. Consequently, the identification of Rhodococcus pyridinivorans K408 strain in ZEA biodegradation proved to be a very efficient biological tool that is able to eliminate the complete estrogenic effects of ZEA. It is also remarkable that this biotransformation pathway of ZEA did not result in any residual estrogenic effects.
Subject(s)
Environmental Pollutants/metabolism , Estrogens, Non-Steroidal/metabolism , Rhodococcus/metabolism , Uterus/drug effects , Zearalenone/metabolism , Adult , Animals , Apelin , Aquaporin 5/genetics , Aquaporin 5/metabolism , Biodegradation, Environmental , Calbindins , Complement C2/genetics , Complement C2/metabolism , Environmental Pollutants/pharmacology , Estradiol/pharmacology , Estrogens, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Female , Gene Expression/drug effects , Humans , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Organ Size/drug effects , Rats , Rhodococcus/chemistry , S100 Calcium Binding Protein G/genetics , S100 Calcium Binding Protein G/metabolism , Uterus/physiology , Zearalenone/pharmacologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Exposure to multiple mycotoxins through the food chain represents a major potential health hazard to both humans and livestock. They can cause a variety of severe acute as well as chronic diseases. Eliminating mycotoxins from various grain crops is a global health priority. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), world food production needs to double by 2050. Innovative solutions will be required to sustain toxin free grain supplies worldwide. METHODS: A competitive flow cytometry based multiplexed assay with fluorescent microspheres has been developed. The new multiplexed method can analyze simultaneously any one or all six major mycotoxins. They include: Ochratoxin A (OTA), Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Fumonisin B1 (FB1), T-2 toxin (T-2), Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Zearalenone (ZEA), which are all potential human health hazards. The CFIA described here includes a simplified single extraction step for mycotoxins from specimens and a comprehensive post acquisition software module. The new assay system was developed with a FACSArray™ BD Bioanalyzer flow cytometer (BD Biosciences, Belgium). RESULTS: The CFIA performs favourably when compared to commercial ELISA. Sensitivity range with CFIA increased between 13% and 100% with an average improvement of 50% for the six mycotoxins. CONCLUSIONS: The multiplexed assay presented here has the unique capacity to quantify up to six mycotoxins simultaneously from a single specimen extraction. CFIA's poly-mycotoxin detection sensitivity exceeds standard ELISA. CFIA may be part of a comprehensive assay system that will provide reliable and effective safeguard for agricultural commodities to be free of mycotoxins.
