Open AccessNeurotoxicity mechanism of Ochratoxin A
Author(s) -
Fahimeh Nourbakhsh,
Elahe Tajbakhsh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
quality assurance and safety of crops and foods
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.237
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1757-837X
pISSN - 1757-8361
DOI - 10.15586/qas.v13i2.837
Subject(s) - ochratoxin a , neurotoxicity , ochratoxins , mycotoxin , food science , neurotoxin , ochratoxin , biology , chemistry , carcinogen , toxicity , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Mycotoxins, such as Ochratoxins, are widely distributed in nature and are common contaminants of human foodstuffs. Ochratoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by a wide range of molds. Ochratoxin A (OTA), the most prominent member of this toxin family, is produced by various Aspergillus and Penicillium species. OTA is frequently found in foods such as cereals, oleaginous seeds, coffee, and meat products. This mycotoxin has been described as teratogenic, genotoxic, carcinogenic, and immunotoxic, and has been proven to be a potent neurotoxin. In the present study, the neurotoxicological perspective of OTA was reviewed and discussed. The main possible mechanisms of neurotoxicity are oxidative DNA, protein and lipid damage, and apoptosis. However, further studies are needed to conclude the exact neurotoxicity mechanism of OTA and find the approaches that reduce the neurotoxicity induced by OTA.