Individual and combined effects of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone on mouse kidney

•DON and/or ZEA induce renal dysfunction in female mice.•DON and/or ZEA induce oxidative stress in the kidney of female mice.•DON and/or ZEA induce renal apoptosis in female mice.•The combination of DON + ZEA displayed a sub-additive nephrotoxic effect.

This study was performed to investigate the individual and combined toxic effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) on mouse kidney. A total of 360 female mice were divided into nine groups. Each group received intraperitoneal injection of solvent (control), DON, ZEA, or DON + ZEA four times for 12 d. Results showed that ZEA and/or DON increased the apoptosis rate in the kidney, as well as the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. DON and/or ZEA also induced renal oxidative stress as indicated by increased malondialdehyde concentration and nitric oxide level and reduced superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and hydroxyl radical inhibiting capacity. The observed changes were dose and time dependent. This study reports that DON and/or ZEA induced apoptosis, dysfunction, and oxidative stress in mouse kidney. Furthermore, the combination of DON + ZEA exhibited a sub-additive nephrotoxic effect.