<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This review addresses the unresolved aetiology of several nephropathies and associated upper tract tumours diagnosed all over the world, but especially in the Balkan regions. Studies conducted over the last 35 years point to mycotoxins, mainly ochratoxin A (OTA) as the main culprit. Recent theories however have implicated aristolochic acids (AA). The aim of this review is to put forward arguments in favour of the mycotoxin theory and to show the incoherence of the AA theory. It discusses the differences between the epidemiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) and aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN); OTA and AA carcinogenicity; clinical and pathological effects induced by OTA and AA; sources of OTA contamination (food, air, drinking water); OTA- and AA-DNA adduct formation; the role of genetic polymorphisms; and the risk for young children.</p></abstract>

This review addresses the unresolved aetiology of several nephropathies and associated upper tract tumours diagnosed all over the world, but especially in the Balkan regions. Studies conducted over the last 35 years point to mycotoxins, mainly ochratoxin A (OTA) as the main culprit. Recent theories however have implicated aristolochic acids (AA). The aim of this review is to put forward arguments in favour of the mycotoxin theory and to show the incoherence of the AA theory. It discusses the differences between the epidemiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) and aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN); OTA and AA carcinogenicity; clinical and pathological effects induced by OTA and AA; sources of OTA contamination (food, air, drinking water); OTA- and AA-DNA adduct formation; the role of genetic polymorphisms; and the risk for young children.

Ochratoxin A and Aristolochic Acid Involvement in Nephropathies and Associated Urothelial Tract Tumours

Lab Chemical Engineering, Department Bioprocess & Microbial System, University of Toulouse, Auzeville-Tolosane, France

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

This review addresses the unresolved aetiology of several nephropathies and associated upper tract tumours diagnosed all over the world, but especially in the...

Ochratoxin A and Aristolochic Acid Involvement in Nephropathies and Associated Urothelial Tract Tumours

Published Online: Jan 07, 2010

Page range: 465 - 483

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-2000

Keywords
bubreg, DNA-adukt, etiologija, genski polimorfizam, karcinom mokraćnog sustava, kontaminacija, patološki učinci

This content is open access.

Ochratoxin A and Aristolochic Acid Involvement in Nephropathies and Associated Urothelial Tract Tumours

Published Online: Jan 07, 2010

Page range: 465 - 483

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-2000

Keywordsbubreg, DNA-adukt, etiologija, genski polimorfizam, karcinom mokraćnog sustava, kontaminacija, patološki učinci

This content is open access.

Keywords
bubreg, DNA-adukt, etiologija, genski polimorfizam, karcinom mokraćnog sustava, kontaminacija, patološki učinci