Ochratoxin A and penicillic acid interaction in mice.

Penicillic Acid (PA) and Ochratoxin A (OA) are toxic fungal metabolites that are synergistic in combination. This interaction was investigated using mice which were doses orally as follows: control, none; solvent control, 0.2 ml bicarbonate buffer; PA, 40 mg/kg; OA, 10 mg/kg and combination, 40 mg/kg PA + 10 mg/kg OA. The only significant histopathologic change observed was an acute multifocal toxic tubular nephrosis which appeared most severe in the combination-treated mice killed on day 10. While the combination group had a death rate of 20% (5/25), no deaths occurred in the other treatment groups. The increased death rate and the extensive nephrotoxic findings in the combination group indicate a toxic interaction between OA and PA at sublethal dose levels and is consistent with a renal site of action.