Ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that has been found in Penicillium and is an active metabolite of OTC (Item No. 20183).{31745,57301,21687} It is formed from OTC in vivo, however, OTC can also be formed from OTA by gut microbiota.{31745,51590} OTA (120 ?g/kg) increases renal lipid peroxide levels and the number of apoptotic cells, as well as reduces renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in rats.{57301} Topical application of OTA (80 ?g/animal) induces DNA damage, cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, and apoptosis in mouse skin cells.{21687} It also initiates tumor formation in a two-stage mouse skin tumorigenesis model. OTA has been found in food products and poultry feed.{59458,72197}