Effects of Zearalenone on IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ mRNA Levels in the Splenic Lymphocytes of Chickens. (2nd May 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Y. C.; Deng, J. L.; Xu, S. W.; Peng, X.; Zuo, Z. C.; Cui, H. M.; Wang, Y.; Ren, Z. H.
• Other Names: Pohjanvirta R. Academic Editor.; Tsatsakis A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: TheScientificWorldjournal. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-05-02
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1100/2012/567327
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2356-6140

Abstract

Abstract : Zearalenone (ZEN) is an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species, which can contaminate food and feed. These compounds elicit a wide spectrum of toxic effects, including the capacity to alter normal immune function. In this study, the in vitro effects of the treatment of ConA-stimulated splenic lymphocytes with ZEN (0–25 μ g/mL) were examined. ZEN modulates the expression of IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ . The IL-2 levels were up to fourfold higher (P < 0.05 ) compared with the levels in the control at toxin concentrations of 25 μ g/mL after 48 h of treatment. The IL-6 levels were critically suppressed at this concentration; these changes were very statistically significant (P < 0.05 ). At lower ZEN concentrations (0.1, 0.4 and 1.6 μ g/mL), the IFN-γ levels changed slightly; however at 6.25 and 25 μ g/mL, the IFN-γ results reached statistical significance compared with the control levels (P < 0.05 ). These data suggest that ZEN has potent effects on the expression of chicken splenic lymphocytes cytokines at the mRNA level.