Mechanism of citrinin-induced dysfunction of mitochondria. V. Effect on the homeostasis of the reactive oxygen species.

The effects of citrinin in the maintenance of the homeostasis of the reactive oxygen species in rat liver cells were evaluated. Citrinin (CTN) modifies the antioxidant enzymatic defences of cells through the inhibition of GSSG-reductase and transhydrogenase. No effect was observed on GSH-peroxidase, catalase, glucose 6-phosphate and 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenases, and superoxide dismutase. The mycotoxin increased the generation of reactive oxygen species, stimulating the production of the superoxide anion in the respiratory chain. The results suggest that oxidative stress is an important mechanism, side by side with other effects previously shown, in the establishment of the cytotoxicity and cellular death provoked by CTN in several tissues.