Review article
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-2000
Ochratoxin A and Aristolochic Acid Involvement in Nephropathies and Associated Urothelial Tract Tumours
Annie Pfohl-Leszkowicz
; University of Toulouse, Lab Chemical Engineering, Department Bioprocess & Microbial System, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
Abstract
This review addresses the unresolved aetiology of several nephropathies and associated upper tract tumours diagnosed all over the world, but especially in the Balkan regions. Studies conducted over the last 35 years point to mycotoxins, mainly ochratoxin A (OTA) as the main culprit. Recent theories however have implicated aristolochic acids (AA). The aim of this review is to put forward arguments in favour of the mycotoxin theory and to show the incoherence of the AA theory. It discusses the differences between the epidemiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) and aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN); OTA and AA carcinogenicity; clinical and pathological effects induced by OTA and AA; sources of OTA contamination (food, air, drinking water); OTA- and AA-DNA adduct formation; the role of genetic polymorphisms ; and the risk for young children.
Keywords
aetiology; contamination; DNA adduct; genetic polymorphism; pathological effects; urothelial cancer
Hrčak ID:
45394
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2009.
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