Combined action of citrinin and ochratoxin A on hepatoma tissue culture cells.

Citrinin (CTN) and ochratoxin A (OT-A) may occur simultaneously in mould-contaminated commodities. Both are cytotoxic to hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells. The effect of both mycotoxins, eiter alone or in association on cellular protein, RNA and DNA synthesis was tested. In the presence of ochratoxin A protein synthesis is first inhibited 30 min after the addition of the toxin and RNA synthesis after 150 min. No inhibition of DNA synthesis occurs for at least 5 h, whereas citrinin inhibits first the RNA synthesis after 10 min, second protein synthesis after 20 min and third DNA synthesis after 120 min. When both mycotoxins are added simultaneously to HTC cells the inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis occurs immediately, that of DNA synthesis after a short lag time. This suggests a cooperative effect of both mycotoxins.