EFFECT OF AFLATOXIN B1 ON THE HAEMATOLOGY, TESTES, AND LUNGS OF ADULT MALE RATS: A PHYSIOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Aflatoxins are food-contaminating metabolites that can intoxicate and damage multiple organs. This study compared the effects of aflatoxin powder (AFB) and aflatoxin liquid (AFS) administrations on the testes and lungs of rats and elaborated their potential activity mechanisms.Methods: Fifteen rats were equally divided into 3 groups. The AFB and AFS groups were orally administered with aflatoxin B1 powder (0.5 mg/kg) and aflatoxin B1 liquid (0.5 mg/kg) for 21 days. The control group was fed on a basal pellet diet and water. The body weights of the rats were measured at the beginning of the trial and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days. Blood samples were withdrawn at the end of the experiments and examined for complete blood count (CBC) [red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin content, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelet, neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, basophil, and eosinophil counts]. The levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, e.g. malonaldehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), and serum testosterone were determined. Testes and lungs were examined under a light microscope to assess the aflatoxin B1-induced histopathological changes.Results: The weight gain and its percentages were significantly high in the AFS group than AFB group (P <0.050). Neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and basophil counts were also significantly increased in AFB and AFS groups in comparison to the controls. A significant increase in eosinophil count was noted in the AFB group as compared to controls whereas lymphocyte count remained significantly high in the AFS group than AFB group. Testosterone serum levels significantly decreased in both groups (AFB and AFS) as compared to the control group. MDA and NO serum levels were also significantly high in the AFS group than the AFB group whereas the levels of both groups (AFB and AFS) were higher than in controls. Histological examinations of the testes revealed severe testicular damage, loss of the spermatogenesis process, necrosis, degeneration, shrinkage, and atrophy of seminiferous tubules in both AFB and AFS groups. Histological observations of the lungs depicted large numbers of inflammatory cells, mast cell infiltration, dilated alveolar sacs with exudates, and marked hemorrhages in both groups (AFB and AFS). The histological damages of the testes and lungs were more prominent in the AFS group than AFB group.Conclusion: The results demonstrated elevated oxidative stress markers and reduced serum testosterone levels in AFB and AFS-treated rats. Both studied organs (testes and lung) were severely damaged with more obvious changes in AFS treated group than in AFB treated group.