Effects of sterigmatocystin, deoxynivalenol and aflatoxin G1 on apoptosis of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of Sterigmatocystin (ST), Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) on apoptosis of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) in vitro and thus to further elucidate the putative roles of these three mycotoxins on human immunosystem.


METHODS
The effects of ST, DON and AFG1 on apoptosis of HPBLs were studied with cell culture, flow cytometric (FCM) DNA analysis and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis.


RESULTS
DNA agarose gel electrophoresis results showed the characteristic "ladder" pattern of apoptosis in HPBLs treated with ST, DON and AFG1. Flow cytometric DNA analysis revealed that typical subdiploid peaks of apoptosis in DNA histogram could be seen in all groups treated with the three mycotoxins. Significant time-effect and dose-effect relationships were found between the apoptosis rates and treatment time as well as concentrations of the three mycotoxins.


CONCLUSIONS
ST, DON and AFG1 can induce apoptosis of HPBLs in vitro and may have some negative effects on human immunosystem.
Sun
Xu-Ming
XM
Department of Experimental Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China.
Zhang
Xiang-Hong
XH
Wang
Hui-Yan
HY
Cao
Wen-Jun
WJ
Yan
Xia
X
Zuo
Lian-Fu
LF
Wang
Jun-Ling
JL
Wang
Feng-Rong
FR
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D013241:Sterigmatocystin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014255:Trichothecenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000348:Aflatoxins; D014255:Trichothecenes; D013241:Sterigmatocystin; C027955:aflatoxin G1; C007262:deoxynivalenol