Cytotoxic effect of Deoxynivalenol on the proliferation of the HepG2 cell line

Objetive. To determine the cytotoxic effect and induction of apoptosis of Deoxynivalenol (DON) on the human hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2). Materials and methods. The HepG2 cell line was exposed to concentrations of 10, 25, 50 and 75 μM of lyophilized DON for 48 and 72 hours. Subsequently, the cytotoxic activity of DON was evaluated using the MTT assay. Finally, it analyzed the morphological changes of apoptosis in HepG2 cells by transmission electron microscopy, after treatment with 50 μM of DON for 48 hours. Results. DON, affects the metabolic activity and proliferation of HepG2 cells above 10 μM, compared to the control. The IC50 of DON on HepG2 cells, 42.8 μM SD±1.12 and 29.6 μM SD±3.1 at 48 hours and 72 hours of treatment, respectively. The morphological characteristics of apoptosis in HepG2 cells, such as nuclear and cellular fragmentation, invagination of the plasma membrane, and the formation of apoptotic bodies. Conclusions. DON is a cytotoxic agent in HepG2 cells that alters cellular metabolic activity, with a significant antiproliferative effect dependent on concentration and exposure time, and induces apoptotic cell death.