Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate, whether low doses (25 % of no observable adverse effect levels values) of zearalenone (ZEN) can affect the expression of active substances in nerve fibers in the muscular layer of porcine ileum. The study was performed on ten immature pigs divided into two groups: experimental group (n = 5), where zearalenone (10 μg/kg body weight) was given for 42 days, and control animals (n = 5), where placebo was administered. Fragments of ileum of all animals were processed for single-labelling immunofluorescence technique using the antibodies against vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase, cocaine and amphetamine regulatory peptide, galanin, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide-27 and substance P. The number of nerve fibers immunoreactive to particular substances was evaluated by the counting of nerves per observation field (0.1 mm(2)). Low doses of zearalenone caused the clear changes in the expression of substances studied. The number of nerve fibers immunoreactive to the majority of substances increased in experimental animals. The exception was only galanin, the expression of which was less after administration of zearalenone. The obtained results for the first time show that even low doses of zearalenone can affect the nerve fibers in the digestive tract.