[Carcinogenic and genotoxic effects of mycotoxins]

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 is the most potent hepatocarcinogen among the naturally occurring compounds. It's carcinogenic effect was confirmed by longterm-studies in several animal species. There exists detailed knowledge on the molecular mechanism of the carcinogenic effect caused by aflatoxin B1. At present there does not exist a reliable evidence that human primary hepatocellular carcinoma is caused by aflatoxins. Sterigmatocystin is a hepatocarcinogen too. The genotoxicity of sterigmatocystin likewise as of aflatoxin B1 was detected by short-term-tests with microbial systems and mammalian cells in vitro. It is disputable whether ochratoxin A, citrinin and T-2 toxin are carcinogenic or not. Diacetoxyscirpenol, zearalenone and patulin are estimated as not carcinogenic after longterm-studies with oral toxin administration. Patulin and penicillic acid are genotoxic in microbial systems respectively in mammalian cells in vitro. Luteoskyrin is carcinogenic, but there was not detected any genotoxicity.