- México, 33 Pol. Ind. Tecnoparc 43204 Reus (Tarragona) España
- +34 977 317 111
- bionte@bionte.com
Mycotoxin Detoxifier: QUIMITŌX®
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic fungi that are frequently found as foods and animal feeds contaminants (Gruber-Dorninger et al., 2019). Among the various effects of these toxins on animals, it is known that their ingestion can impair gut health, which in turn affects the overall welfare of the animals (Liew y Mohd-Redwan, 2018).
The gastrointestinal tract has the function of digesting and absorbing nutrients, providing energy, but it also represents a fundamental part of the immune system, acting as a protective barrier against possible infectious or non-infectious agents such as mycotoxins. In this context, intestinal health is characterized by a state of balance (homeostasis) between the different components of the intestinal barrier, including the microbiota, the mucosa and the immune system. This balance is the basis of animal health, welfare, and performance (Celi et al., 2017).
However, mycotoxins can alter this homeostasis and affect the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, compromising both nutrient absorption and their immune function. In general, mycotoxins have a direct antimicobial effect in addition to a secondary effect of toxicity on intestinal cells that produces changes in the intestinal microbiota. In turn, the microbial population of the intestine itself can disturb the adsorption of mycotoxins and their structure, forming secondary metabolites that can affect the health of the animals. Thus, a bidirectional scenario has been described between mycotoxins and the intestinal microbiota (Guerre, 2020).
Trichothecenes, such as DON or T-2 toxin, have been described as the mycotoxins with the greatest toxicity on intestinal health. Trichothecenes decrease the expression of tight junctions and glucose transporters, while inducing enterocyte apoptosis by reducing villus height. Therefore, they increase intestinal permeability and reduce nutrient absorption. These mycotoxins reduce the number of goblet cells, mucin-secreting cells with an important protective function, and cytokines. In addition, they induce the release of satiety hormones, that compromise production parameters and induce oxidative stress and liver damage. In summary, trichothecenes negatively affect intestinal absorption, integrity, and immunity.
Fumonisins reduce the expression of tight junctions and induce cell apoptosis in the intestine (by accumulation of sphinganine), increasing intestinal permeability that allows the translocation of bacteria into the bloodstream. On the other hand, and unlike the trichothecenes, the fumonisins stimulate the continuous hypersecretion of mucin by the goblet cells, depleting them and compromising the mucosal barrier. In conclusion, these mycotoxins alter the immune function of animals by affecting the intestinal barrier. In this scenario, the animal becomes more vulnerable to secondary infections.
Ochratoxin A are characterized by being one of the most common mycotoxins in animal production and, although the kidney is their target organ, they have negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract. This toxin increases intestinal permeability by reducing the expression of tight junctions and inducing oxidative stress and the consequent apoptosis of enterocytes. Consequently, the height of the villi is compromised. At the same time, the immune system is altered by a decrease in cytokine expression.
Aflatoxins, among which aflatoxin B1 stands out, have the liver as their target organ. These mycotoxins are characterized by having a great hepatotoxicity and, in addition, compromising the productive performance and the immune system. However, its toxicity on the gastrointestinal tract is comparable to that of other mycotoxins: it increases permeability and degenerates the intestinal morphological structure while altering the immune system, increasing the infiltration of leukocytes and lymphocytes in the intestinal mucosa.
The described effects of zearalenone on the gastrointestinal tract are not as detrimental compared to the other mycotoxins. In fact, differences between zearalenone and its metabolites have been described, although in both cases the reproductive system is the main target of this mycotoxin.
When we talk about mycotoxin contamination, it’s important to consider that the most frequent scenario is multi-contamination. In this context, the different mycotoxins present in feed can interact with each other, leading to synergistic and additive effects (Fusilier et al., 2022). Consequently, the consumption of such feed can lead to the alteration of the animals’ gastrointestinal barrier, which may result in immunosuppression states that compromise both their health and productive performance.
The company that provides effective solutions against mycotoxins.
Calle México, 33. Polígono Industrial Tecnoparc.
43204 Reus (Tarragona) - España
Contact information
E-mail: bionte@bionte.com
Telephone: +34 977 317 111