The in vitro effects of aflatoxin B1 on physiological functions of swine alveolar macrophages.

Abstract

The toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the physiological functions of swine alveolar macrophages (SAM) were investigated. Freshly isolated SAM were incubated with various AFB1 concentrations (1.6 × 10–1 – 1.6 × 105 nmol/L) and time periods, and their phagocytic ability, synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein, and cell activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were analysed. Results demonstrated that a significant (p < .05) reduction (60%) in Staphylococcus aureus uptaken by SAM appeared 3 hr after AFB1 (>16 nmol/L) treatment. The synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein were markedly reduced, among which DNA and protein synthesis were affected more noticeably. The activation of SAM by LPS was significantly (p < .05) suppressed when the concentration of AFB1 reached 1.6 × 103 nmol/L. In general, most of the analysed effects were more prominent as AFB1 concentration or incubation period increased. Taken together, AFB 1could elicit significant adverse effects on the physiological functions of SAM. Exposure of pigs to aflatoxin‐contaminated feed may increase their susceptibility to various secondary infections.