| Summary: | Fusarium toxins stable natural toxins produced by Fusarium species can appear in the food chain. The aim of this in vitro study was to examine: 1. the effect of deoxynivalenol (DON) treatment on the ability of rat ovarian cells to release insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and 2. a possible signaling pathway of cell apoptosis through selected markers (Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3) induced by this natural toxin. Rat ovarian fragments were incubated with DON for 24h: 10, 100 and 1000 ng.ml-1, while the control group received no DON. The secretion of IGF–I was determined by RIA and expression of antiapoptotic (Bcl-2) and proapoptotic (Bax and caspase-3) proteins by Western-blotting analysis. IGF-I release by rat ovarian cells after DON addition was not significantly (P>0.05) stimulated (at the dose 10 ng.ml-1) and inhibited (at the doses 100 and 1000 ng.ml-1) by the toxin. The impact of DON on the expression of Bcl-2 (26 kDa), Bax (23 kDa) and caspase-3 (34 kDa) was found. Bcl-2 expression was decreased and Bax and caspase-3 increased by DON treatment. In conclusion, our results suggest a direct effect of DON on (1) ovarian functions, (2) mechanisms of proliferation and apoptosis in rat ovarian cells through intracellular regulators: Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3.
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