In this study, we investigated the influence of zearalenone (ZEA) on the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model both in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 in the DSS+ZEA-treated group are lower than those in either the DSS or ZEA group, and the protein expression trends are similar. Furthermore, colitis, which is characterized by body weight loss, stool consistency, and the presence of bloody feces, was significantly alleviated in the DSS+ZEA group when compared with that in the DSS group. In addition, histological analysis showed that inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage of the colon in the DSS+ZEA group were recovered compared with that in the DSS-treated group. These results suggest that, instead of aggravating DSS-induced colitis, ZEA relieves the inflammatory reaction in colon tissue, which may be related to its estrogenic activity.
Keywords: NLRP3; dextran sulfate sodium (DSS); estrogen receptors (ERs); inflammation; zearalenone (ZEA).
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