Cellular stress marker alteration and inflammatory response in pigs fed with an ochratoxin contaminated diet

• Our model of ochratoxicosis in growing pigs had no effects on growth performances.
• Ochratoxin is increased in plasma, kidney, liver of pigs fed with OTA.
• Among blood parameters, only serum protein changed.
• Up-regulation of TNF-alpha, IL-10 mRNA and alteration of HO-1 was induced by OTA.
• Ochratoxin determined an immunosuppressive state dangerous for animal health.

Aim of this study was to characterize the effects of an ochratoxin A (181 ± 34 ng/g) contaminated diet on growth performances, blood parameters, systemic cytokine levels, cell stress markers and reactivity of immune system of weaned pigs.Growth performance was not affected by OTA consumption even if OTA levels increased in plasma, kidney and liver. OTA diminished the protein content in the serum and increased levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 in plasma. HO-1 mRNA, indicative for cells stress, was decreased in the kidney but increased in the liver. Additionally, whole blood of the animals of the OTA-group showed a decreased capacity to respond with cytokine expression (mRNA and protein) to ex vivo challenge with LPS. In conclusion our findings indicate that chronic ingestion with OTA-contaminated feed, even at low level, is hazardous for the animal and virtually for human health, pig being an excellent model for human.