Interactions between the Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol and lipopolysaccharides on the in vivo protein synthesis of acute phase proteins, cytokines and metabolic activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in pigs

•No impact on acute phase protein synthesis and metabolic activity of lymphocytes after systemic DON application.•LPS acute iv mediates acute phase response irrespective of DON co- or pre-exposure.•LPS challenge detrimental effects on albumin synthesis and lymphocyte viability but none effects on fibrinogen synthesis. The in vivo effects of the Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) on albumin and fibrinogen synthesis in pigs and metabolic activity of porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were studied alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in order to examine proposed synergistic effects of both substances. A total of 36 male castrated pigs (initial weight of 26kg) were used. Uncontaminated (Control) and naturally DON-contaminated (chronic oral DON, 3.1mg/kg diet) wheat was fed for 37days. On the day of protein synthesis measurement, pigs recruited from the Control group were treated once intravenously with (iv) DON (100μg/kg live weight (LW)/h), iv LPS (7.5μg/kgLW/h) or a combination of both substances, and six pigs from the chronic oral group were treated once with iv LPS. A treatment with DON alone exhibited no alterations of acute phase protein synthesis and metabolic activity of PBMC. There was no evidence that the chosen dosing regimen of DON had influences on the induced sub-acute stage of sepsis, as the LPS challenge, irrespective of DON co-exposure, mediated an acute phase reaction with a typical decrease of albumin synthesis, as well as changes in cytokine concentration and a loss of metabolic activity in PBMC.