EFFECTS OF FEEDING T-2 TOXIN AND DEOXYNIVALENOL ON DNA AND GSH CONTENTS OF BRAIN AND SPLEEN OF RATS SUPPLEMENTED WITH VITAMIN-E AND VITAMIN-C AND SELENIUM COMBINATION

Some mycotoxins are known to produce membrane damage through increased lipid peroxidation, which leads to impaired tissue function. An inves tigation of the relative importance of vitamin E, vitamin C, and selen ium in rendering protection to the brain and spleen against T-2 toxin- and deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced damage was undertaken. Normal, vitam in E-, vitamin C- and selenium-supplemented, and vitamin E-, vitamin C - and selenium-deficient rats mere administered a single dose of T-2 t oxin (3.6 mg/kg body weight) or DON (28 mg/kg body weight). Glutathion e and DNA content were estimated in the cerebral cortex of rat brain a nd in spleen. Vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium supplementation led t o an increase in GSH and DNA content in brain and spleen tissues, whil e vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium deficiency led to a decrease in G SH and DNA content. Administration of T-2 toxin and DON to normal rats decreases slightly, but not significantly, GSH and DNA content. The r esults indicate that in the brain and spleen of rats, vitamin E, vitam in C, and selenium seem to act as an antioxidant system that protects against mycotoxin-induced damage.