Tânia Petta

Assessment of multiple mycotoxins in breakfast cereals available in the Portuguese market

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi that cause toxic and carcinogenic effects. Human exposure to multiple mycotoxins constitutes an increasing health concern due to potential mycotoxins combined effects. The presence of mycotoxins mixtures in foodstuffs as cereals has been reported over the last years, but few studies are available concerning its occurrence in cereals primarily marketed for children, a particular vulnerable population group. The present study aims to assess the co-occurrence of twenty-one mycotoxins and metabolites present in breakfast cereals primarily marketed for children in Portugal. Results showed that 96% of the analysed breakfast cereal samples were contaminated with several mycotoxins. Twenty-two combinations were identified including two to seven different mycotoxins. Conclusions pointed out an urgent need to review legislative limits in food matrices consumed by children and to perform a more accurate risk assessment of childrens exposure to mycotoxins mixtures in food.

Determination of Aflatoxin B1-Lysine in Pig Serum and Plasma by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a hepatocarcinogen produced by certain Aspergillus species growing on crops. After biotransformation in the liver, AFB1 generates several metabolites, one of which is AFB1 bound to lysine on serum albumin. AFB1-lysine (AFB1-lys) is a digest product of AFB1-albumin and is considered a biomarker of exposure to AFB1 in humans and animals. The objectives of this paper were to evaluate the performance characteristics of a new analytical method for determination of AFB1-lys levels in pig serum, heparinized and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma and to evaluate the interference of these anticoagulants in AFB1-lys quantification. Blank blood samples were obtained from eight crossbreed 91-day-old barrows fed AFB1-free diets. Pooled samples (n = 3) and individual samples of serum, EDTA and heparinized plasma collected from five pigs were enzymatically digested with pronase at 37°C for 4 h. AFB1-lys was isolated by solid-phase extraction and quantified by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The analytical method was applied for determination of AFB1-lys in serum and EDTA plasma collected from five 49-day-old crossbreed barrows fed ad libitum diets containing 1.1 mg of AFB1 per kg of feed during 7 days (three animals) or 42 days (two animals). Samples of heparinized plasma were only available from animals intoxicated for 42 days. All animals had lower levels of AFB1-lys in EDTA plasma samples (24.78-37.40 ng/mL), when compared to serum (49.32-252.07 ng/mL-1) or heparinized plasma (176.81 and 264.24 ng/mL-1). EDTA did not interfere in AFB1-lys standard detection, but our findings suggest that EDTA should be avoided during blood collection since it affects the pronase activity in AFB1-albumin adduct digestion and, consequently, causes a reduction in the AFB1-lys levels. Hence, determination of AFB1-lys in serum and heparinized plasma is an approach to assess an individuals exposure of swine to AFB1.

Erythropoietin Exacerbates Inflammation and Increases the Mortality of Histoplasma capsulatum-Infected Mice

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a key hormone involved in red blood cell formation, but its effects on nonerythroid cells, such as macrophages, have not been described. Macrophages are key cells in controlling histoplasmosis, a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc). Considering that little is known about EPOs role during fungal infections and its capacity to activate macrophages, in this study we investigated the impact of EPO pretreatment on the alveolar immune response during Hc infection. The consequence of EPO pretreatment on fungal infection was determined by evaluating animal survival, fungal burden, activation of bronchoalveolar macrophages, inflammatory mediator release, and lung inflammation. Pretreatment with EPO diminished mononuclear cell numbers, increased the recruitment of F4/80+/CD80+ and F4/80+/CD86+ cells to the bronchoalveolar space, induced higher production of IFN-γ, IL-6, MIP-1α, MCP-1, and LTB4, reduced PGE2 concentration, and did not affect fungal burden. As a consequence, we observed an increase in lung inflammation with extensive tissue damage that might account for augmented mouse mortality after infection. Our results demonstrate for the first time that EPO treatment has a deleterious impact on lung immune responses during fungal infection.

Aflatoxin B1 residues in human livers and their relationship with markers of hepatic carcinogenesis in São Paulo, Brazil

Graphical abstract