Abstract
Simple SummaryAflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most toxic mycotoxins compounds produced by Aspergillus, a common fungi contaminant in food and animal feed. Although there are many studies on AFB1, most of them are focused on the acute toxic effects of high-dose AFB1 ingestion. The symptoms of acute AFB1 mycotoxicosis are rarely observed in actual animal production. However, long-term exposure to low levels of AFB1 is common in swine production and may contribute to chronic diseases. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of chronic exposure to low levels of dietary AFB1 on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility and intestinal health in pigs. We found that chronic exposure to low levels of dietary AFB1 suppressed growth performance, reduced apparent total tract digestibility and damaged intestinal barrier integrity in pigs, which could be associated with the decreased intestinal antioxidant capacity and the increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These results could provide new insights for future studies on the prevention and treatment of AFB1 poisoning.This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to low levels of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility and intestinal health in pigs. In a 102-day experiment, fourteen barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire, initial BW = 38.21 ± 0.45 kg) were randomly divided into control (CON, basal diet) and AFB1 groups (the basal diet supplemented with 280 μg/kg AFB1). Results revealed that the AFB1 exposure decreased the final BW, ADFI and ADG in pigs (p < 0.10). AFB1 exposure also decreased the apparent total tract digestibility of dry mater and gross energy at 50 to 75 kg and 105 to 135 kg stages, and decreased the apparent total tract digestibility of ether extract at 75 to 105 kg stage (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, AFB1 exposure increased serum diamine oxidase activity and reduced the mRNA abundance of sodium-glucose cotransporter 1, solute carrier family 7 member 1 and zonula occluden-1 in the jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05). Furthermore, AFB1 exposure decreased superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.05) and increased 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine content (p < 0.10) in jejunal mucosa. AFB1 exposure also increased tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and transforming growth factor-β mRNA abundance in jejunal mucosa and upregulated Escherichia coli population in colon (p < 0.05). The data indicated that chronic exposure to low levels of dietary AFB1 suppressed growth performance, reduced the apparent total tract digestibility and damaged intestinal barrier integrity in pigs, which could be associated with the decreased intestinal antioxidant capacity and the increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Highlights
The occurrence of mycotoxins in foodstuffs for humans and animals has been constituted as a threat to international public health [1]
aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) remains in human food through animalderived products, which may pose a threat to human health [9]
Pigs fed the AFB1 diet trended to decrease their final BW, average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) across the whole experiment compared with the CON group (Table 5, p < 0.10)
Summary
The occurrence of mycotoxins in foodstuffs for humans and animals has been constituted as a threat to international public health [1]. Aflatoxin B1 is the most toxic contaminant in foods and feedstuffs, and is classified as a Class I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer [3]. Aflatoxin B1 needs to convert to AFB1-8,9-exo-epoxide (AFBO) to exert toxic effects [4]. Aflatoxin B1 has been characterized as hepatotoxic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, and immunosuppressive [5]. AFB1 remains in human food through animalderived products (such as animal tissues, milk, and eggs), which may pose a threat to human health [9]. AFB1 has raised concerns globally in animal production and human public health
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