Different mycotoxins in feed lead to combined exposure, increasing adverse effects
on animal health. Trichothecene mycotoxins have been associated with inducing oxidative
stress, which is neutralized by the glutathione system within the antioxidant defense,
depending on the dose and duration of exposure. T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), and
fumonisin B1 (FB1) are commonly found in feed commodities simultaneously. In the present
study, the intracellular biochemical and gene expression changes were investigated
in the case of multi-mycotoxin exposure, focusing on certain elements of the glutathione
redox system. In a short-term feeding trial, an in vivo study was performed with low
(EU-proposed) doses: T-2/HT-2 toxin: 0.25 mg; DON/2-AcDON/15-AcDON.: 5 mg; FB1: 20
mg/kg feed, and high doses (twice the low dose) in laying hens. The multi-mycotoxin
exposure affected the glutathione system; GSH concentration and GPx activity was higher
in the liver in the low-dose group on day 1 compared to the control. Furthermore,
the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes increased significantly on day 1 in both
exposure levels compared to the control. The results suggest that when EU-limiting
doses are applied, individual mycotoxins may have a synergistic effect in the induction
of oxidative stress.
