title: Toxicity of aflatoxin B1 towards the vitamin D receptor (VDR).
abstract: This research describes an unexpected toxicity of the aflatoxin B1 towards the vitamin D receptors. Rickets is a childhood disease, and calcium deficiency is the aetiological cause in Africa, being primarily associated with nutritional problems; in this research the contribution of aflatoxin B1 exposure during the early months of life is an interesting factor to deepen in order to prevent liver damages or the development of rickets. The results show that the expression of vitamin D receptor in osteosarcoma cell line SAOS-2 is significantly down-modulated by exposure to aflatoxin B1. This seems to suggest that Aflatoxin B1, toxic towards the vitamin D receptor, interferes with the actions of the vitamin D on calcium binding gene expression in the kidney and intestine. Experimental data indicate a 58% and 86% decrease if the cells are exposed to 5 ng/mL and 50 ng/mL of aflatoxin B1, respectively. These results seem to indicate that natural occurrence of the aflatoxin B1 and allelic variant of vitamin D receptor on (F allele) increase the risk of developing rickets of African children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, via S. Pansini 5, Napoli 80131, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, via S. Pansini 5, Napoli 80131, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fattore
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy.
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Novellino
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy. Electronic address: alberto.ritieni@unina.it.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ritieni
mesh_terms: D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000633:toxicity*; D000483:Alleles; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012279:Rickets / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D; D016604:Aflatoxin B1; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Aflatoxin B1; Mycotoxins; Rickets; Vitamin D