Alteration of some toxic aflatoxin responses in Syrian hamsters fed zinc carbonate-supplemented diets

Abstract

Chronic exposure to aflatoxins (AFTs) below the LD50 can result in reduced weight gain, hepatocellular necrosis and bile duct cell proliferation. Here, we report whether dietary zinc (Zn2+) protects against both aflatoxicosis and precancer in male weanling hamsters fed either 14.6 mg/kg AFTs, 3000 mg/kg zinc carbonate, or both for 17 weeks. The AFTs (either alone or with Zn2+) reduced weight gains but not feed consumption. Whereas controls possessed 172.7±21.7 mg/100 ml plasma glucose, the AFTs and Zn2+ groups had 132.1±19.5 and 122.7 mg/100 ml, respectively. For plasma cholesterol, the AFTs plus Zn2+ group's was 26.5±4.3 compared to 32.3±3.0, 31.5±4.8 and 36.0±2.1 mg/100 ml for control, Zn2+ and AFTs groups, respectively. The latter exhibited bile duct cell hyperplasia, focal liver necrosis and hemorrhage but the AFTs plus Zn2+ group's livers had less damage. Meglahepatocytes indicated precancerous changes. These data suggest a trend toward Zn2+-induced reduction for AFTs-promoted liver damage.