Involvement of O2·− release in zearalenone-induced hormesis of intestinal porcine enterocytes: An electrochemical sensor-based analysis

Relationship between mycotoxin-induced hormesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) has not been systematically investigated due to the lack of an effective analysis method. To monitor cellular release and intracellular level of O 2 ·− , carboxymethyl cellulose-Mn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 nanocomposite was synthesized to fabricate an electrochemical biosensor, which selectively detects O 2 ·− over the range of 57.50 nM ∼ 2.95 μM (R 2  = 0.99) with the sensitivity of 78.67 μA μM −1 cm −2 and the detection limit of 8.47 nM. Transient exposure to zearalenone (ZEA) induces the enhancement on cell viability, immediate O 2 ·− release from cells, and reduction of intracellular O 2 ·− level. After post-treatment culture, intracellular O 2 ·− initially increases to a high level and then decreases to the normal level. Concurrently, the ZEA-induced hormesis disappears. Based on the findings, we propose a mechanism, involving the ROS release, increase of succinate dehydrogenase activity and recovery of intracellular ROS, to explain the occurrence and disappearance of hormesis in intestinal porcine enterocytes.