INRA Toxalim
France
Dr. Imourana Alassane-Kpembi is a veterinary who trained as a food toxicologist at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research INRA in Toulouse. He holds a research fellow position in the “Biosynthesis and Toxicity of Mycotoxins” research team at the TOXALIM Food toxicology research center in Toulouse. His work focuses on the effects of natural exposure to mycotoxins (chronic, low doses, and multi- exposures) on the intestinal health of farm animals by using in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo approaches. He mainly works on the pig which is one of the most exposed and sensitive species to mycotoxins. Moreover, the pig can be regarded as a relevant animal model for extrapolating to humans.
Dr. Imourana Alassane-Kpembi recently co-authored a book chapter entitled “Effects of feed contaminants on the intestinal health of monogastric farm animals”.
As prominent food and feed contaminants, mycotoxins frequently come into contact with the intestinal mucosa. These fungal secondary metabolites detected in many agricultural commodities, especially in cereals, raise an increasing awareness in human and in t animal as well, owing to their potentially deleterious effects. Regulations and/or recommendations exist in most countries for the major mycotoxins aflatoxins, trichothecenes, fumonisins, zearalenone and ochratoxin A.
Due to high consumption of cereals and intrinsic sensitivity, pigs are highly impacted by the presence of mycotoxins in feed. Pig intestine and immune system are some of the most sensitive targets of mycotoxin contamination.
The gastrointestinal tract forms a protective and essential barrier in the maintenance of health. Substantial data gathered on the damage of mycotoxins to a number of histological structures and functions of the intestinal tissue have definitely kicked out any doubt about a global mycotoxin-driven alteration of the intestinal barrier function.
The mycotoxins also have immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive effects depending on the toxin, the concentration and the parameter investigated. The immune system being primarily responsible for defense against invading organisms, the consequences of the ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated feed deserves attention. Evidence-based on realistic swine exposure to mycotoxins point to increased intestinal pathogen translocation, higher susceptibility to infectious diseases, and decreased vaccine efficacy.
This presentation provides an overview of the intestinal barrier function alteration and the immunomodulatory effects induced by mycotoxins in pig. It also reviews a variety of approaches, including administration of probiotics, currently investigated to tackle the mycotoxins in pig.