Therefore we assume that chronic exposure to SiO2-NPs may lead to adverse health effects in the liver. We thank Sebastian Müller for assistance and the HLS for initial funding of the work. “
“Aflatoxin (AF) is a class of mycotoxins mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus

and Aspergillus parasiticus, and there are multiple types of aflatoxin including AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 with different structures and physiochemical properties [1]. Among all these types of aflatoxin, AFB1 has been shown to be the highest toxic agent [2] with its potent genotoxic, hepatocarcinogenic [3], and reproductive toxicity [4]. The formation of reactive AFB1-epoxide by the action of cytochrome P450 www.selleckchem.com/products/ch5424802.html enzymes is the central pathway to its genotoxicity [5]. Many animal studies confirmed its toxicity with a LD50 between 0.3–17.9 mg/kg varied by animal models. More importantly, the microorganisms from Aspergillus genus are widely present in the natural world, and AFB1 contamination has been shown in many

INK-128 cereal grains such as corn [6] and rice [7], and it has become a serious food-borne hazard. Although numerous detection methods and technologies to eliminate AFB1 from food ingredients have been developed, AFB1 contamination is still a major challenge to food industry and public health since aflatoxin contamination in food chains can occur at any stage of food production, processing, transport and storage. Co-exposure to multiple mycotoxins has become a public health concern since human body is rarely exposed to one type of mycotoxin, and some mycotoxin combinations might produce a synergistic toxicity. The combinative toxicity of AFB1 with deoxynivalenol (DON) [8], T-2 [9], and fumonisin B1[10] have been reported, and additive or synergistic interaction have been discovered in some combinations. Sterigmatocystin CYTH4 (ST), an AFB1- structurally similar mycotoxin with a bisdihydrofuran moiety (Fig. 1), has similar toxicity to AFB1[11]. Both of

them can inhibit ATP synthesis [12] and impair cell cycle [13]. ST is also a carcinogenic agent [14] and an adduct of 1,2-dihydro-2-(N(7)-guanyl)-1-hydroxysterigmatocystin can be formed through its reaction with DNA in an exo-ST-1,2-oxide structural form [15]. Regarding the coexistence of AFB1 and ST, therehave been reports that both of them are produced by the same species, such as Emericella venezuelensis [16] and Emericella astellata [17]. ST is also widely present in cereal grains of corn and food product of bread [18], and their coexistence was also detected in urine from a human study [19]. Thus, coexistence of AFB1 and ST is present in nature and food chains.