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Chronic ingestion of deoxynivalenol at human dietary levels impairs intestinal homeostasis and gut microbiota in mice

  • Organ Toxicity and Mechanisms
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Abstract

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a frequent contaminant of cereals and their by-products in areas with a moderate climate. Produced by Fusarium species, it is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins in cereal crops worldwide, and the most frequently occurring type B trichothecene in Europe. Due to its toxic properties, high stability and prevalence, the presence of DON in the food chain could represent a major public health risk. However, despite its well-known acute toxicological effects, information on the adverse effects of realistic exposure remains limited. We orally exposed mice during 9 months to DON at doses relevant for currently estimated human intake and explored the impact on various gut health parameters. DON exposure induced recruitment of regulatory B cells, and activation of regulatory T cells and dendritic cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. Several inflammatory parameters were increased in colon of DON-exposed mice, whereas inversely inflammatory markers were decreased in ileum. Histomorphological impairments were observed from the duodenum to the colon. Both colon and jejunum presented a hyperproliferation of epithelial cells and an increased expression of mature absorptive cells markers. Finally, DON exposure reshaped gut microbial structure and drastically disturbed the abundance of several bacterial phyla, families, and genera, leading to dysbiosis. Chronic oral exposure to human relevant doses of DON induces several disturbances of gut homeostasis with likely pathological implications for susceptible individuals.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the animal facility of Lille University Hospital for the animal care.

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the FHU Imminent and Digestscience (European Research Foundation on Intestinal Diseases and Nutrition).

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Correspondence to Mathilde Body-Malapel.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Vignal, C., Djouina, M., Pichavant, M. et al. Chronic ingestion of deoxynivalenol at human dietary levels impairs intestinal homeostasis and gut microbiota in mice. Arch Toxicol 92, 2327–2338 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-018-2228-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-018-2228-6

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