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Med. Pr. 2005;56(5)

Calcium concentration in the skin of male rats exposed to high doses of ochratoxin A (OTA)

Zawartość wapnia w skórze samców szczurzych eksponowanych na wysokie stężenia ochratoksyny A (OTA)

Włodzimierz Bulikowski1, Andrzej Borzęcki2, Ryszard Skorupski3, Katarzyna Trocka1, Wiesław Lingas1

Abstract

Background: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of mycotoxines that most frequently creates occupational hazards. The aim of the study was to observe calcium concentration in the skin of test animals exposed to high doses of ochratoxin A (OTA). Materials and Methods: Tests were carried out in two groups of male rats exposed to high doses of OTA (1 mg/kg^-1) for 30 days. One of these groups was additionally administered MgCl₂ in a dose of 5 mg/kg^-1. The results were compared with the control group. The animals were decapitated and the obtained skins were degreased and mineralized. The element was marked by AAS method on AAS-3 apparatus. Results: After completing the experiment, a significant (p < 0.001) rise in calcium concentration was found in the skin of animals in both tested groups compared with the control one. The group given at the same time OTA and MgCl₂ had a significantly lower (p < 0.001) calcium concentration in the skin than that exposed to OTA only. Conclusions: Administration of high doses of OTA characteristically increases calcium concentration in animal skin. Simultaneous administration of OTA in high doses and magnesium chloride in low doses also significantly increases calcium concentration in animal skin.

Key words

ochratoxin A, calcium concentration, skin, exposure, interaction, magnesium chloride