title: Combinatory estrogenic effects between the isoflavone genistein and the mycotoxins zearalenone and alternariol in vitro.
abstract: The isoflavone genistein, present in soy-based food and dietary supplements, is known for its estrogenic potential. In addition to phytoestrogens, food may also contain mycotoxins with estrogenic properties like zearalenone or alternariol, raising the question on potential combinatory effects of these xenoestrogens.
  
  
  
  Combinatory estrogenic effects of genistein with zearalenone or alternariol were studied in the human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line Ishikawa as expression of alkaline phosphatase (AlP) activity. Combinations of genistein with either zearalenone or alternariol, showed synergism and antagonism in the AlP assay, depending on the combination ratios and the concentration range. For combinations of zearalenone with genistein synergistic effects dominated.
  
  
  
  We demonstrate that mixture effects of phyto- and mycoestrogens potentially pose unexpected risks to consumers. Our study highlights the necessity of according considerations regarding combinatory effects in future risk assessment. The applied in vitro study design represents a cost-efficient screening method to discover interactive effects of estrogens as a basic decision tool for priority risk assessment.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vejdovszky
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Warth
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marko
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005506:Food Contamination; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D007783:Lactones; D015025:Zearalenone; D019833:Genistein; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C005197:alternariol
keywords: Chemical mixtures; Food contaminants; Food safety; Polyphenol; Xenoestrogen