Interactive effects of zearalenone and its metabolites on cytotoxicity and metabolization in ovarian CHO-K1 cells

Toxicol In Vitro. 2014 Feb;28(1):95-103. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2013.06.025. Epub 2013 Jul 9.

Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a non-steroidal estrogen mycotoxin with high binding affinity to estrogen receptors. ZEA is rapidly absorbed and metabolized in vivo to α-zearalenol (α-ZOL) and β-zearalenol (β-ZOL). So, mixtures of them may be present in biological systems and suppose a hazard to animals and human health. The aims of this study were to determine the cytotoxic effects of ZEA and its metabolites, alone and in combination in ovarian (CHO-K1) cells during 24, 48 and 72h by the MTT assay; and to investigate the metabolism of the CHO-K1 cells on ZEA, and its conversion into α-ZOL and β-ZOL by CHO-K1 cell after 24 and 48h of exposure. The IC50 value obtained for individual mycotoxins range from 60.3 to >100.0μM, from 30.0 to 33.0μM and from 55.0 to >75.0μM for ZEA, α-ZOL and β-ZOL, respectively. Cytotoxic interactions were assayed by the isobologram method, which provides a combination index (CI) value as a quantitative measure of the degree of the three mycotoxin interaction. The CI values for binary combinations ranged from 0.56±0.15 (synergism at low concentrations) to 5.25±5.10 (addition at high concentrations) and tertiary combinations from 2.95±0.75 (antagonism at low concentrations) to 0.41±0.23 (synergism at high concentrations). The concentration of ZEA and its metabolites was determined with liquid chromatography coupled to the mass spectrometer detector-linear ion trap (LC-MS-LIT). The percentage of ZEA degradation ranged from 4% (24h) to 81% (48h). In the same conditions, α-ZOL and β-ZOL concentration decreased from 8% to 85%. No conversion of ZEA in α-ZOL and β-ZOL was detected. However, at 24h of exposure other degradation products of ZEA and its derived were detected.

Keywords: Cytotoxicity; Interactions; LC–MS–LIT; Metabolites; Zearalenone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / metabolism
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mycotoxins / administration & dosage
  • Mycotoxins / metabolism
  • Mycotoxins / toxicity*
  • Time Factors
  • Zearalenone / administration & dosage
  • Zearalenone / metabolism
  • Zearalenone / toxicity*
  • Zeranol / administration & dosage
  • Zeranol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Zeranol / toxicity

Substances

  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal
  • Mycotoxins
  • zearalenol
  • Zearalenone
  • Zeranol