T2 Toxin-Induced Changes in Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (CART)-Like Immunoreactivity in the Enteric Nervous System Within Selected Fragments of the Porcine Digestive Tract

Neurotox Res. 2017 Jan;31(1):136-147. doi: 10.1007/s12640-016-9675-8. Epub 2016 Oct 13.

Abstract

T-2 toxin is a mycotoxin produced by some Fusarium species, which may affect the synthesis of DNA and RNA and causes various pathological processes. Till now, the influence of T-2 toxin on the enteric nervous system (ENS) located in the wall of gastrointestinal tract has not been studied. On the other hand, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is one of enteric neuronal factors, whose exact functions in the intestines still remain not fully explained. The present study describes the influence of low doses of T-2 toxin on CART-positive neuronal structures in porcine stomach, duodenum, and descending colon. Distribution of CART was studied using the double immunofluorescence technique in the plexuses of the ENS, as well as in nerve fibers within the circular muscle and mucosal layers of porcine gastrointestinal tract. Generally, after T-2 toxin administration the greater number of CART-LI structures were studied, but intensity of changes depended on part of the ENS and digestive tract fragment studied. The obtained results show that even low doses of T-2 toxin may change the expression of CART in the ENS.

Keywords: Cocaine- and amphetamine- regulated transcript (CART); Enteric nervous system (ENS); Mycotoxin; Pig; T-2 toxin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colon, Descending / immunology*
  • Colon, Descending / pathology
  • Duodenum / immunology*
  • Duodenum / pathology
  • Enteric Nervous System / immunology*
  • Enteric Nervous System / pathology
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Molecular Structure
  • Muscle, Smooth / immunology
  • Muscle, Smooth / pathology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / immunology
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Stomach / immunology*
  • Stomach / pathology
  • Sus scrofa
  • Swine
  • T-2 Toxin / chemistry
  • T-2 Toxin / toxicity*

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript protein
  • T-2 Toxin