ENB-001

The emerging mycotoxins enniatins (ENNs) and the traditional mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) often co-contaminate various grain raw materials and foods. While the liver is their common target organ, the mechanism of their combined effect remains unclear. In this study, the combined cytotoxic effects of four ENNs (ENA, ENA₁, ENB, and ENB₁) with DON and their mechanisms were investigated using the HepG2 cell line. Additionally, a population exposure risk assessment of these mycotoxins was performed by using in vitro experiments and computer simulations. The results showed that only ENA at 1/4 IC₅₀ and ENB₁ at 1/8 IC₅₀ coexposed with DON showed an additive effect, while ENB showed the strongest antagonism at IC₅₀ (CI = 3.890). Co-incubation of ENNs regulated the signaling molecule levels which were disrupted by DON. Transcriptome analysis showed that ENB (IC₅₀) up-regulated the PI3K/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway and inhibited the expression of apoptotic genes (Bax, P53, Caspase 3, etc.) via phosphorylation of FoxO, thereby reducing the cytotoxic effects caused by DON. Both types of mycotoxins posed serious health risks, and the cumulative risk of coexposure was particularly important for emerging mycotoxins.