The T-2 toxin (T-2), a mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium which belongs to group A of trichothecenes, is rapidly metabolized, and its main metabolites are HT-2, Neosolaniol (Neo), T2-triol and T2-tetraol. In this work, the antioxidant defense system of HepG2 cells against oxidative stress induced by T-2 and its metabolites was evaluated. The results obtained demonstrated that there is an overall decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels after all mycotoxins exposure. Moreover, the GSH levels and the enzymatic activities related to GSH (GPx and GST) increased with NAC pre-treatment (glutathione precursor) and decreased with BSO pre-treatment (glutathione inhibitor). The GPx activity is increased by T2-tetraol. The GST activity increased after T-2 and T2-triol exposure; however, T2-tetraol decreased its activity. Furthermore, CAT activity increased after T-2 and T2-triol; nevertheless, Neo decreased its activity. Finally, SOD activity is increased by all mycotoxins, except after T-2 exposure. So, the damage associated with oxidative stress by T-2 and its metabolites is relieved by the antioxidant enzymes system on HepG2 cells.
Keywords: T-2; antioxidant enzymes; glutathione; metabolites.