OCHRATOXIN A-INDUCED CYTOTOXICITY TO HUMAN RED-BLOOD-CELLS AND ITS PREVENTION BY CERTAIN VITAMINS

We examined the protective effect of vitamins on cytotoxicity induced by ochratoxin A (OA) on red blood cells (RBC) in vitro. Addition of vi tamin C at a concentration of 10-90 mu g mL(-1) and ochratoxin A (2 mu g mL(-1)) to a RBC suspension significantly retarded ochratoxin-induc ed haemolysis. Similarly, inclusion of vitamin A at a concentration of 125-1,000 U mL(-1) reduced haemolysis induced by ochratoxin (2 mu g m L(-1)). Further studies are needed to investigate the possible protect ive effect of these antioxidants against ochratoxicosis under in vivo conditions.