The immunotoxic effect caused by citrinin was evaluated in albino mice exposed to a single dose of 2.5mg.kg-1 before (n=15), concomitantly (n=15) and after (n=15) immunization with an inert antigen represented by sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The animals were bleed seven days following the mycotoxin exposure for antibodies anti-SRBC and complement titration and compared to results obtained from non-exposed controls (n=15). It was detected a decreasing antibodies titration in all the intoxicated animals. Those animals that received citrinin before and after SRBC sensitization equally presented a lowering of 87.5% on the primary antibodies level. The exposure to the mycotoxin simultaneously to the SRBC sensitization caused a decrease equivalent to 75%. A remarkable effect was also demonstrated for the circulating complement in both groups of animals, with a decrease of 87.5% on those intoxicated before and of 93.8% on those treated concomitantly to the SRBC sensitization.
citrinin; mycotoxins; immunosuppression; coumarins
