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

on growth performances, blood parameters, systemic cytokine levels, cell stress markers and reactivity\r\nof immune system of weaned pigs.\r\nGrowth performance was not affected by OTA consumption even if OTA levels increased in plasma,\r\nkidney and liver. OTA diminished the protein content in the serum and increased levels of TNF-alpha\r\nand IL-10 in plasma. HO-1 mRNA, indicative for cells stress, was decreased in the kidney but increased\r\nin the liver. Additionally, whole blood of the animals of the OTA-group showed a decreased capacity to\r\nrespond with cytokine expression (mRNA and protein) to ex vivo challenge with LPS. In conclusion our\r\nfindings indicate that chronic ingestion with OTA-contaminated feed, even at low level, is hazardous for\r\nthe animal and virtually for human health, pig being an excellent model for human.