The Fusarium toxin zearalenone and deoxynivalenol affect murine splenic antioxidant functions, interferon levels, and T-cell subsets

• The Fusarium toxin zearalenone and deoxynivalenol dysreglated murine splenic antioxidant functions.
• The Fusarium toxin zearalenone and deoxynivalenol dysreglated murine splenic IFN levels.
• The Fusarium toxin zearalenone and deoxynivalenol dysreglated murine splenic T-cell subset frequencies.
• DON and ZEA exerted synergistic effects.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Fusarium toxin zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) on splenic antioxidant functions, IFN levels, and T-cell subsets in mice. Herein, 360 mice were assigned to nine groups for a 12-day study. Mice were administered an intraperitoneal injection for 4 consecutive days with different concentrations of ZEA alone, DON alone, or ZEA + DON. Spleen and blood samples were collected on days 0, 3, 5, 8, and 12. Mice in each of the experimental groups showed dysreglated splenic antioxidant functions, IFN levels, and T-cell subset frequencies, suggesting that the immune system had been affected. The ZEA + DON-treated groups, especially the group that received a higher concentration of ZEA + DON (Group D2Z2), showed more obvious effects on the dysregulation of splenic antioxidant functions, IFN levels, and T-cell subsets. This finding suggested that DON and ZEA exerted synergistic effects.