Mycotoxin fumonisin B1 alters cellular redox balance and signalling pathways in rat liver and kidney

Mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a frequent contaminant of grain, particularly maize, but the mechanism of its toxicity in the kidney and liver is not fully understood. FB1-stimulated oxidative stress might disturb cellular redox state and signal transduction pathways of the target cells. In this study we measured total intracellular glutathione (GSH), and assessed mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) activation and the expression of heat shock proteins (Hsps) Hsp25 and Hsp70 in the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats given 0.5 mg FB1/kg b.w. intraperitoneally for 2 or 7 days. The effect of FB1 on GSH levels, MAPK activation and Hsp expression was found to be related to the type of tissue affected and the length of treatment. In rat liver, cellular GSH content increased, Hsp expression was up-regulated, and ERK and p38 were activated after the 7-day treatment, while even the 2-day treatment sufficed to produce phospho-JNK signal. In rat kidney, GSH levels decreased after the 2- and 7-day treatment with FB1, while after the 7-day treatment all three MAPKs were activated, Hsp25 expression increased and Hsp70 expression decreased. In conclusion, FB1 alters cellular redox balance, which leads to tissue-specific activation and expression of redox-sensitive signalling molecules. It seems that kidney cells are more sensitive to adverse effects of FB1.