The effects of direct and microsomal activated aflatoxin B 1 on chicken peritoneal macrophages in vitro

Abstract

Sephadex-elicited peritoneal exudate cells were cultured on glass coverslips in order to determine the effects of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) on chicken macrophages. Adherent macrophage monolayers were exposed for 1 h to 5, 10, and 20 μg ml −1 of AFB 1, directly or to 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5 μg ml −1 of AFB 1 in the presence of a chicken microsomal mixed function oxidase system (MFO). After exposure, the macrophage cultures were washed and allowed to recover for 2 h in fresh culture medium. Parameters measured at 2 h post recovery period were the substrate adherence potential, morphological alterations, phagocytic ability, and number of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) internalized per phagocytic macrophage. Direct in vitro exposure to AFB 1 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in macrophage adherence potential, and an increase in cell damage as determined by nuclear disintegration and cytoplasmic blebbing, but no detrimental effects were observed on percent phagocytic cells or the number of internalized SRBC. However, significant reductions in adherence potential, increased morphological alterations, and reduced phagocytosis and internalization of SRBC were observed when MFOs were added to cultures treated with much lower doses of AFB 1. Addition of piperonyl butoxide (a P-450 inhibitor) abrogated AFB 1-MFO induced alterations. This study suggests that microsomal activated AFB 1 causes significant alterations in chicken macrophage functions.