Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium spp. moulds that contaminate crop, predominantly maize, all around the world. More than 15 types of fumonisins have been indentified so far, but FB1 is the most abundant and toxicologically the most significant one. FB1 has a wide range of toxic effects, depending on animal species. In horses FB1 causes equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM), in pigs pulmonary oedema and in experimental rodents nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. In humans exposure to FB1 is linked with higher incidence of primary liver cancer and oesophageal cancer, which are frequent in certain regions of the world (such as Transkei region in South Africa) where maize is staple food. The occurrence of neural tube defect in children in some countries of Central America (such as Mexico and Honduras) is connected with the consumption of FB1-contaminated maize-based food. However, possible involvement of FB1 in the development of human diseases is not clear. Nevertheless, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified FB1 as a possible carcinogen to humans (group 2B).FB1 is a causative agent of ELEM, a brain disorder in equines, indicating that brain is a target organ of FB1 toxicity. Several studies on experimental animals or on cell cultures of neural origin have established that FB1 has a neurodegenerative potential, although the mechanism of its neurotoxicity is still vague. The aim of this article is to give an overview of available literature on FB1 neurotoxicity and involved mechanisms, and to offer a new perspective for future studies.

Toxicity of gamma irradiated mycotoxins aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was investigated in vitro. AFB₁ and OTA stock solutions (50 mM, in methanol) were gamma irradiated (5 and 10 kGy) and non-irradiated and irradiated mycotoxins solutions were tested for cytotoxicity on Pk15, HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cell lines (MTT assay, 1–500 μM concentration range; 24 h exposure). Degradation of mycotoxin molecules was examined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). AFB₁ and OTA radiolytic products were less toxic than the parent mycotoxins to all of the tested cell lines. Gamma irradiation even at 5 kGy had effect on AFB₁ and OTA molecules however, this effect was dependent on chemical structure of mycotoxin. Since gamma irradiation at low dose reduced initial level of both mycotoxins, and gamma irradiated mycotoxins had lower toxicity in comparison to non-irradiated mycotoxins, it can be concluded that gamma irradiation could be used as decontamination method.

Context: Increased oxidative burden is found in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: To assess the association of ceruloplasmin, albumin, bilirubin, transferrin, thiols and malondialdehyde (MDA) with stable COPD. Materials and methods: Oxidative stress markers measured in 106 COPD patients and 45 healthy subjects were evaluated. Results: Higher ceruloplasmin and MDA, and lower albumin, transferrin and thiols in COPD patients were found. Ceruloplasmin was the strongest single predictor of COPD. The model combining ceruloplasmin, albumin and thiols improved their individual diagnostic performances. Conclusions: Diagnostic characteristics of ceruloplasmin, albumin, transferrin, thiols and MDA suggest their potential value as additional tools in disease diagnosis.