Adverse Effects Of Aflatoxin B1 Research Articles

Mitigating the adverse effects of Aflatoxin B1 in LMH, IPEC-J2 and 3D4/21cells by a novel integrated agent.

This study was to evaluate the efficacy of TOXO-XL (XL), an integrated mycotoxin-mitigating agent, on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced damage in Leghorn male hepatoma (LMH), porcine jejunum epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2) and porcine alveolar macrophages (3D4/21) cells, and to explore its potential mechanisms. The results showed that 30% inhibition concentration (IC30) of AFB1 in LMH, IPEC-J2 and 3D4/21cells was 0.5, 15.0, and 2.5mg/L, respectively. Notably, cell viability, ROS, apoptosis and DNA lesion induced by AFB1 (IC30) could be ameliorated by the supplementation with XL at the dosage of 0.025, 0.025 and 0.005%, respectively. Additionally, the migration and phagocytosis abilities impaired by AFB1 were also restored by XL in 3D4/21. Further experiments revealed that XL supplementation markedly attenuated AFB1-induced inflammatory response by decreasing IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in LMH, IL-6 in IPEC-J2 and IL-1β in 3D4/21cells. Meanwhile, XL supplementation reversed the alterations of BAX, BCL-2 and caspase-3 induced by AFB1 in the three cells, suggesting that AFB1-induced apoptosis may be suppressed via the mitochondria-dependent pathway. Furthermore, XL may have a protective effect on the intestinal barrier through the restoration of occludin protein. Conclusively, these findings indicated that XL could alleviate AFB1-induced cytotoxicity in the three cells, potentially through the regulation of cytokines, ROS, apoptotic and DNA damage signaling.

IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF BINDING CAPACITY OF COMBINED ADSORBENT (BENTONITE WITH YEAST CELL WALL EXTRACTS) AND AFLATOXIN B1

The contamination of animal feed with mycotoxins is a worldwide problem in the animal husbandry, but it also represents a serious threat for the whole food chain. The health of both animals and humans is potentially endangered. From this point of view aflatoxins are a class of mycotoxins especially well known. Therefore, new strategies to combat these natural contaminants are constantly being developed. The most applied method to protect animals against aflatoxicosis is the utilization of feed additives aimed to adsorb aflatoxins. In order to estimate adsorbing potential of feed additive “MycoStop DUPLO”, designed for the prevention and/or alleviation of adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 in animal nutrition, in vitro trial was conducted. As a result of the experiment, conducted at pH 5 during 120 minutes of incubation at 37°C, the optimal formulation of the adsorbent was revealed. This product, in low concentration and in the presence of high amounts of toxin, met the stringent European regulation requirements for minimum 90% aflatoxin binding efficiency (90.1% achieved with 0.02% adsorbent and 4 mg/L toxin concentration). In higher adsorbent (0.2%), and lower toxin (0.2 mg/L) conditions, adsorption was 99.6%. Such outcome indicated the validity of in vitro experimental approach which can serve as a reliable fast tool for triage of adsorbents and preselect them for in vivo tests.

Liver and kidney serum profile abnormalities in workers exposed to aflatoxin B1 in urban solid waste management centers.

Many workers are exposed to health problems arising from molds, fungi, and their toxins during waste processing. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) level in airborne and settled dust, aflatoxin B1-albumin (AFB1-Alb) adduct in serum, liver and kidney biochemical tests, and body redox change of workers in municipal dry waste-processing sites were investigated. The surface, personal, and area air dust and the blood of workers' samples were collected from the plastic and bread waste-sorting sections in three recycling municipal dry waste sites. Digestion (only for serum samples), passed through SPE cartridge, elution, and collection with methanol, immune-affinity column clean-up, and HPLC system equipped with post-column derivatization method and fluorescence detection were performed for determination of AFB1 and AFB1-Alb levels in the samples. The mean level of dust and AFB1 in the personal and area air, and in the settled dust and the AFB1-Alb in the serum of workers in the bread waste sorting, was higher than plastic waste-sorting samples, in all of the sites. The differences in the biochemical profiles of subjects exposed to aflatoxin B1 as compared to the control group especially in liver and kidney function parameters as well as antioxidant factors of the serum were significant. The workers in handling of municipal waste may be exposed to potentially hazardous levels of aflatoxin B1. The adverse effects of AFB1 on the kidney and liver may be caused by changes in the redox system.

Aluminosilicates and yeast-based mycotoxin binders: Their ameliorated effects on growth, immunity and serum chemistry in broilers fed aflatoxin and ochratoxin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of commercial toxin binders on growth performance, organ morphology, immunity and serum biochemistry in broilers. Dietary treatments consisted of the negative control (NC): experimental diet with aflatoxin B1 <20 parts per billion (ppb), ochratoxin A (OTA) <5 ppb; control (C) experimental diet without toxin binder; Z1: toxin binder 1 g/kg of zeta plus; Z2: toxin binder 2 g/kg of zeta plus; TX1: toxin binder 1 g/kg of Toxfin Dry; and TX2: toxin binder 2 g/kg of Toxfin Dry). Except for NC, all diets contained 57 ppb aflatoxin B 1 and 23 ppb ochratoxin A. Feed intake was higher in the TX1, TX2, NC, Z2 and Z1 treatments than in the control. Weight gain was higher in Z2, TX2, Z1, TX1 and NC than in C. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was poor in C. The control had the highest liver weight, though the weights of the spleen, kidneys and hearts of the birds were similar in all treatments. Gizzard weight, thymus weight, and bursa of Fabricius were lowest in C. The weight of the pancreas was similar among treatments. The antibody titres against new castle disease were higher in treatments Z2, Z1, TX2, TX1 and NC than in C. Urea and creatinine concentrations, and aspartate aminotransferase activity in serum were similar among treatments, whereas the serum alanine transaminase activity was higher in C than in Z1, TX1, TX2, Z2 and NC. It was concluded that growth rate, FCR and immunity indices were improved in broilers fed toxin binder. At lower levels of mycotoxin in feed, 1 g/kg of toxin binder (clay based or yeast based) was sufficient to ameliorate the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 and OTA, whereas at higher levels of mycotoxins, supplementation of toxin binder should be increased. Keywords: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, carcass characteristics, growth performance, toxin binders, urea, creatinine

Evaluation of three mycotoxin binders to prevent the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 in growing broilers

ABSTRACT Aflatoxins are a major problem in poultry production and are significant economic and public health burdens worldwide. Three commercial mycotoxin binders (TXB) were used to determine their efficacy in preventing the toxic effects of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on broiler productivity, biochemical and hematological parameters, and liver function. A total of 600 day-old broilers were randomly allotted to 12 treatments in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement with 3 levels of AFB1 (0, 2, and 4 µg/g) and 4 TXB (no toxin binder, 1.0 g/kg Mycosorb, 1.0 g/kg Formycin, and 20.0 g/kg Anzymit) with 5 replicates of 10 chicks each per treatment. Results indicated that AFB1, in comparison with the control, caused a significant decrease in feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency, and hematological values. Serum proteins (globulin, albumin, and total protein) and serum Ca and P concentrations followed the same pattern. Relative weights of the heart, gizzard and liver, and AST activity in serum were increased in a dose-dependent manner, but ALT activity was not statistically affected by AFB1. Adding TXB to the AFB1 contaminated diet increased weight gain, feed efficiency, hematological values and serum proteins. The commercial mycotoxin binders decreased AST and ALT activities, but did not have a significant effect on the relative organs weight and serum Ca and P concentrations. Neither AFB1 nor commercial toxin binders affected total cholesterol, LDL, or HDL in this study. It was concluded that the addition of the commercial toxin binders to the AFB1 containing diets reduced the adverse effects of AFB1 and could be helpful as a solution to the aflatoxicosis problem in young broiler chicks.

A multiparameter investigation into adverse effects of aflatoxin on Oreochromis niloticus health status

Aflatoxin is a common contaminant of foods, particularly in the staple diets of many developing countries. To evaluate adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity on health status in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, fish were fed diet contaminated with either 20 or 100ppb AFB1 for 6 or 12weeks. Growth indices, survival rate and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were assessed. Blood samples were collected for hematological profiles (e.g. RBCs and WBC count, Hb content). Liver enzyme activity; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were evaluated and toxin residues in the liver and musculature were detected. Liver histopathological investigations were carried out, whereas antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene expression were determined in this tissue by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, to test the fish immune status, challenge against Aeromonas hydrophila was conducted. Results indicated that 100ppb AFB1 negatively impacted O. niloticus weight gain, feed efficiency, hematological profiles, HSI as well as liver histopathology, while increase in AST, ALT, ALP liver enzymes activity was evidenced. Further, the expression of liver GPx and GST down-regulated and AFB1 residues were always detected in the liver and only in the musculature in fish fed 100ppb AFB1 for 12weeks. The ability of fish to withstand A. hydrophila infection was remarkably lowered. Overall, the results herein demonstrate the toxic effects of AFB1 in O. niloticus. The observed alterations in fish status, especially in the liver coincide well with the expected oxidative stress resulting from the AFB1 toxicity.

Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Blockage of Renal Cells in Broilers Fed a Diet Containing Aflatoxin B1.

The aim of the study was to investigate the competency of selenium (Se) in counteracting the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on apoptosis, cell cycle, and proliferation of nephritic cells. Two hundred forty 1-day-old healthy male avian broilers were randomly divided into four groups and fed basal diet (control group), 0.3mg/kg AFB1 diet (AFB1 group), 0.4mg/kg Se diet (+Se group), and 0.3mg/kg AFB1 + 0.4mg/kg Se diet (AFB1 + Se group), respectively. Compared to the control group, the number of apoptotic renal cells and expressions of Bax and caspase-3 messenger RNA (mRNA) were significantly increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in the AFB1 and the +Se groups (p < 0.01). A significantly decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and arrested G0/G1 phases of the cell cycle were also seen in the AFB1 and the +Se groups when compared with those of the control group. Moreover, these parameters were restored to the control group levels in the AFB1 + Se group. These results suggested that sodium selenite supplied in the diet could effectively inhibit AFB1-induced apoptosis and cell cycle blockage in renal cells of broiler.

Efficacy of Methionine Hydroxy Analogue in Ameliorating Aflatoxicosis in Japanese Quails

The efficacy of dietary methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) to ameliorate aflatoxicosis caused by 500 ppb aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in Japanese quails was investigated. A total of 600, day-old quail chicks were divided into ten treatment groups viz. T1: control; T2: T1+500 ppb AFB1, T3: T1+400 ppm MHA, T4: T1+500 ppm MHA, T5: T1+625 MHA, T6: T1+769 ppm MHA, T7: T2+400 ppm MHA, T8: T2+500 ppm MHA, T9: T2+625 MHA, and T10: T2+769 ppm MHA. Each diet was fed to four replicated groups of 15 birds each from day-old to 35d of age. The results revealed that contamination of aflatoxin (500 ppb) in the diet of Japanese quails caused significant (P<0.05) decrease in BW gain. Supplementation of MHA at 400–625 ppm (T7 to T9) level in AFB1 contaminated diet though improved (P<0.05) the BW gain but could not match with the gain in control diet. However, supplementation of MHA at 769 ppm level in AFB1 contaminated diet ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB1 on gain in quails. The overall feed consumption remained uninfluenced due to dietary treatments. The FCR of groups T7, T8 and T9 was lower (P<0.05) than that of AFB1 fed group but higher (P<0.05) than control. The FCR of group T10 was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of AFB1 fed group similar to control. Contamination of feed with 500 ppb AFB1 resulted in significant increase in FCR of quails. Supplementation of MHA (769 ppm) to the AFB1 contaminated diet resulted in significant improvement in feed efficiency that was comparable to control. Aflatoxin contamination in diet (T2) resulted in enlarged, pale, congested and round bordered liver. Incorporation of MHA at higher level (769 ppm) in AF contaminated diet significantly reduced the effect of AFB1 on liver morphology. It is concluded that supplementation of MHA at 769 ppm in 500 ppb AFB1 contaminated feed ameliorated the adverse effects on BW gain and FCR in Japanese quails.

Effect of dietary resveratrol in ameliorating aflatoxin B1-induced changes in broiler birds.

Consumption of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contaminated feed by poultry affects the health of broiler birds causing severe economic losses. The use of phytochemicals is a safe, effective, alternative and practical approach to combat the toxic effect of AF in broilers. Resveratrol, a polyphenol derived from red grapes, berries and peanuts, exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Our study was aimed at evaluating the possible protective effects of resveratrol against the adverse effects of AFB1 in broiler birds. A feeding trial of 42 days of duration was undertaken in a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments: G1-AFB1(1.0 ppm); G2-CTR (basal diet alone); G3-AFB1(1.0 ppm)+Resv 0.5%; G4-AFB1(1.0 ppm)+Resv 1%; and G5-Resv 1%. Gain in body weight (BWG) and feed intake (FI) was observed to be highest (p < 0.05) in the AFB1 birds followed by the control group. Feed conversion ratio was lowest in G2-CTR birds and failed to record any significant variation (p > 0.05) between groups as well as within groups. Birds fed resveratrol at both 0.5% and 1.0% levels in combination with AFB1 as well as alone along with basal diet had lower BWG and FI between the fourth and fifth week and also at the fifth week (p < 0.05). No variation (p > 0.05) was obtained in the FCR of AFB1 and resveratrol group of broiler birds. AFB1 feeding significantly increased the activities of aspartate-(AST) and alanine-(ALT) amino transferase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (p < 0.05) but lowered glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum. Supplementation of resveratrol helped in increasing the activities of the oxidative enzymes and in improving the plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and total protein (TP) significantly (p < 0.05) and protein values. The livers of AFB1 group showed degeneration of hepatocytes, bile duct hyperplasia and microgranuloma formation. In resveratrol supplemented birds, the severity and degree of the liver lesions was far less. Apoptotic proteins failed to show any variation in expression between AFB1, control and resveratrol group of birds. The inclusion of resveratrol in broiler diets enhanced antioxidant status of birds indicating the protective effect of resveratrol against AFB1-induced toxicity. So, we advice use of resveratrol as a feed additive to control aflatoxicosis in poultry farms.

Adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 on skeletal muscle development in broiler chickens

1. Detrimental effects of in ovo administrated of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the embryonic development of skeletal muscle were determined using histological methods.2. A total of 420 eggs of a Ross broiler parent stock were incubated and divided into 4 groups: (1) control, (2) 5 ng AFB1/egg group, (3) 15 ng AFB1/egg group, (4) 40 ng AFB1/egg group. Test solutions were injected via the air-sac, just prior to setting the eggs in the incubator.3. Five eggs from each group were opened on different days of incubation (11d, 13d, 17d and 21d). Developmental stages of embryos were determined according to the Hamburger–Hamilton scale and embryos were weighed. Skeletal muscle tissue samples were dissected and fixed, sectioned and stained with Crossman’s trichrome and AgNOR.4. The mean relative embryo, leg muscle and breast muscle weights of AFB1-treated groups were lower than the control group and decreased with increasing AFB1. The nucleus area and AgNOR area of the AFB1-treated groups were also lower than the control group whereas there were no significant differences in AgNOR numbers and AgNOR area/nucleus area among the treatment groups.5. It was concluded that in ovo administrated of AFB1 adversely affected the embryonic development of skeletal muscle and that affected animals might therefore be more susceptible to skeletal and muscle disorders during the growing period.

The Efficacy of Prebiotic (β-Glucan) as a Feed Additive against Toxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Common Carp, Cyprinus Carpio L.

This study was undertaken to investigate the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) and detoxifying these drastic effects by using prebiotics (β-glucan). A total of six treatments were used, including a control diet (G1) that had different combinations of AFB1 and/or 1% β-glucan. This included a diet with only β-glucan (G2), 4 mg AFB1 kg dw-1 diet with β-glucan (G3) or without (G5) and 6 mg AFB1 kg dw-1 diet with β-glucan (G4) or without (G6).These diets were offered 6 days a week at 3% daily of actual biomass in fiberglass aquaria in duplicate (2 aquaria treatment-1) for 60 days. Several endpoints at different levels of biological organisations were evaluated. These included DNA damage (using comet assay), haematological parameters, histopathological changes of the liver and kidney were also examined and growth performance. Results revealed significantly increase (P<0.05) of DNA damage in AFB1 groups (G5 and G6) compared to AFB1 plus β-glucan groups (G3 and G4). The haematological parameters showed significant differences between AFB1 groups (G5 and G6) and AFB1 plus β-glucan groups (G3 and G4). Histopathological changes revealed damage to liver and kidney tissues in AFB1 groups. Different levels of AFB1 significantly (P<0.05) affect the final average of fish weight in G5 and G6 compared to G3 and G4. Interestingly specific growth rate (%) of fish was lowered in AFB1 groups (G5 and G6) compared to AFB1 plus 1% β-glucan groups (G3 and G4). In conclusion, β-glucan, found to be a successful agent protected against the genotoxicity induced by AFB1 and effectively alleviate lesions of AFB1. Therefore, obtained results recommended adding 1% β-glucan as fish feed additives.

Effectiveness of maifanite in reducing the detrimental effects of aflatoxin B1 on hematology, aflatoxin B1 residues, and antioxidant enzymes activities of weanling piglets

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of maifanite, which is mainly composed of aluminosilicate, in reducing the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on hematology, AFB1 residues, and antioxidant enzymes activities in weaning piglets. A total of 32 (9.28±0.17kg BW) individually housed crossbred piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Large white) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with 8 replicates per treatment. The dietary treatments included 2 AFB1 levels (5.3 and 372.8μg/kg) and 2 maifanite levels (0% and 1%). No differences in average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain to feed ratio were observed among treatments. Ingestion of the AFB1-contaminated (AF) diets (372.8μg/kg of AFB1) reduced (P<0.05) the numbers of neutrophil, monocyte, and total leukocyte. There were no effects of AFB1 on gamma glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activities, and total protein, albumin, urea N, total bilirubin, IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations in serum. Aflatoxin B1 was found in the liver and kidney of piglets fed the AF diets. Piglets fed the AF diets reduced (P<0.05) the total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities in serum. However, total superoxide dismutase activity in the liver was increased (P<0.05) in piglets fed the AF diets compared with those fed the basal diets (5.3μg/kg of AFB1). There was an interaction (P=0.003) in erythrocyte, but piglets fed the diets containing maifanite had greater erythrocyte and lymphocyte (P=0.035) numbers than those fed the diets without maifanite. The AFB1 levels in the liver and kidney of piglets fed the AF diet containing maifanite were 29.6% and 41.2% lower, respectively, than those of piglets fed the AF diet alone. Although there was an interaction (P=0.011), piglets fed the diets containing AFB1 and maifanite had greater serum T-SOD activity compared with those fed the diets with no maifanite. In conclusion, the addition of maifanite to the AF diet resulted in partial restoration of hematology and antioxidant enzymes activities and reduced AFB1 levels in the liver and kidney.

Antioxidant efficacy of curcuminoids from turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) powder in broiler chickens fed diets containing aflatoxin B1

A 3-week-feeding study (1-21 d post-hatch) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of total curcuminoids (TCMN), as an antioxidant, to ameliorate the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broiler chickens. Turmeric powder (Curcuma longa L.) that contained 2.55 % TCMN was used as a source of TCMN. Six cage replicates of five chicks each were assigned to each of six dietary treatments, which included: basal diet; basal diet supplemented with 444 mg/kg TCMN; basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg/kg AFB1; basal diet supplemented with 74 mg/kg TCMN and 1.0 mg/kg AFB1; basal diet supplemented with 222 mg/kg TCMN and 1.0 mg/kg AFB1; basal diet supplemented with 444 mg/kg TCMN and 1.0 mg/kg AFB1. The addition of 74 and 222 mg/kg TCMN to the AFB1 diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved weight gain and feed efficiency. Increase (P < 0.05) in relative liver weight in birds fed AFB1 was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) with the addition of 74, 222 and 444 mg/kg TCMN to the AFB1 diet. The inclusion of 222 mg/kg TCMN ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB1 on serum chemistry in terms of total protein, albumin and gamma-glutamyl transferase activity. The decreased antioxidant functions due to AFB1 were also alleviated by the inclusion of 222 mg/kg TCMN. It is concluded that the addition of 222 mg/kg TCMN to the 1.0 mg/kg AFB1 diet demonstrated maximum antioxidant activity against AFB1.

Protective Role of Lycopene on Aflatoxin B1 Induced Changes Sperm Characteristics and Testicular Damages in Rats

Summary The aim of this study was to investigate if lycopene could diminish the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on sperm characteristics, the testes, epididymis and oxidative stress in rats. A total of 28 adult male Wistar-Albino rats (8 weeks old weighing 180-220 g) were divided into four groups; Controls, lycopene treated rats (10 mg/kg BW, daily by gavage), AFB1 treated rats (2.5 mg/kg BW, single dose intra peritonal) and lycopene (10 mg/kg BW, daily by gavage) + AFB1 (2.5 mg/kg BW, single dose intra peritonal) treated rats. Traits of reproductive organs (testes and sperm characteristics, testicular histological findings and the testicular tissue oxidative status) were determined after 15 days of treatment. The sperm motility was significantly decreased while the rate of total abnormal sperms was significantly increased in rats treated with AFB1 alone compared to their levels in controls (P<0.001). The level of testes malondialdehyde (MDA) in rats treated with AFB1 was significantly higher than its level in controls (P<0.001). Treatment with AFB1 significantly decreased testes diameter and seminifer epithelium thickness (P<0.0001) when compared with the others. Similarly, the thickness of the germinative cell layer at seminifer tubul (ST) in rats treated with AFB1 was significantly smaller than controls. Treatment with lycopene significantly increased sperm motility (P<0.001) and alleviated the many negative effects of AFB1 on sperm characteristic and testicular damage in rats. In conclusion our results showed that consumption of 10 mg of lycopene/ BW given by gavage protected the rats to the toxicity of AFB1 when it is administrated as a single dose intraperitoneally.

Efficacy of Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Containing a Known Level of Curcumin, and a Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate to Ameliorate the Adverse Effects of Aflatoxin in Broiler Chicks

A 3-wk feeding study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (TMP), containing a known level of curcumin, and a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS; Improved Milbond–TX, IMTX, an adsorbent, Milwhite Inc., Houston, TX) to ameliorate the adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broiler chicks. Four pen replicates of 5 chicks each were assigned to each of 7 dietary treatments, which included the basal diet not containing TMP, HSCAS, or AFB1 (control); basal diet supplemented with 0.5% food grade TMP that contained 1.48% total curcuminoids (74 mg/kg); basal diet supplemented with 0.5% HSCAS; basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg/kg AFB1; basal diet supplemented with 0.5% TMP and 1.0 mg/kg AFB1; basal diet supplemented with 0.5% HSCAS and 1.0 mg/kgAFB1; and basal diet supplemented with 0.5% TMP, 0.5% HSCAS, and 1.0 mg/kg AFB1. The addition of TMP to the AFB1 diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved the weight gain of chicks, and the addition of HSCAS to the AFB1 diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved feed intake and weight gain, and reduced relative liver weight. The addition of TMP or HSCAS and TMP with HSCAS ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB1 on some of the serum chemistry parameters (total protein, albumin, cholesterol, calcium). Further, decreased antioxidant functions in terms of level of peroxides, superoxide dismutase activity, and total antioxidant concentration in liver homogenate due to AFB1 were also alleviated by the inclusion of TMP, HSCAS, or both. The reduction in the severity of hepatic microscopic lesions due to supplementation of the AFB1 diet with TMP and HSCAS demonstrated the protective action of the antioxidant and adsorbent used in the present study.

The protective effect of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate against the adverse effects of Aflatoxin B1 on D. melanogaster

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Aflatoxin B1 + hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) on various developmental stages of Drosophila melanogaster. Different concentrations of AFB1 and HSCAS + AFB1 were administered during the developmental periods of the fly (egg, larvae and pupae). When the F1 progeny of control and application groups were compared, AFB1 was found to extend the process of metamorphosis and decrease the total number of offspring. However, these negative effects were inhibited with HSCAS treatment at different concentrations (5.0 and 10.0 ppm). These results suggest that HSCAS could effectively inhibit AFB1-induced abnormalities in the developmental stages of D. melanogaster.

Influence of Ascorbic Acid Supplementation on the Haematological and Clinical Biochemistry Parameters of Male Rabbits Exposed to Aflatoxin B1

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of L‐ascorbic acid (AA) in alleviating the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in male New‐Zealand white rabbits. Five rabbits (6 months of age and mean body weight 3.12 kg) per group were assigned to 1 of 6 treatment groups: 0 mg AA and 0 mg AFB1/kg BW (control); 20 mg AA/kg BW; 15 μg AFB1/kg BW; 15 μg AFB1 plus 20 mg AA/kg BW; 30 μg AFB1/kg BW; 30 μg AFB1 plus 20 mg AA/kg BW. Rabbits were orally administered their respective doses every other day for 9 weeks, followed by a 9‐week recovery period where all drugs were withdrawn. Evaluations were made for hemato‐biochemical parameters and enzymatic activities. Results showed that AFB1 significantly (p < 0.05) decreased hemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocytic count (TEC) and packed cell volume (PCV), in a dose‐dependent manner, and these effects were continued during the recovery period. Ascorbic acid caused an increase in these parameters, and alleviated the negative effect of AFB1 during the treatment period. Additionally, serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and glucose were significantly (P < 0.05) declined by treatment with the high dose of aflatoxin and these effects were continued during the recovery period. Ascorbic acid caused non‐significant increases in these parameters and alleviated the harmful effect of AFB1. On the other hand, aflatoxin treatment caused significant increases (P < 0.05) in the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AlP) during the treatment period in a dose dependent manner, and this effect was continued during the recovery period, especially with the high dose. Also, treatment with the high dose of aflatoxin caused significant increases (P < 0.05) in cholesterol and total bilirubin. Ascorbic acid caused significant decreases in these parameters and alleviated the harmful effects of AFB1. Whereas, Total leukocyte count (TLC), urea and creatinine were not significantly affected by aflatoxin‐treatment. Generally, it is interesting feature that the treatment with AA alone had no negative effects on most of the previous parameters. Also, the presence of AA could diminished the adverse effects of AFB1 on most of hematological and biochemical values, and enzymatic activities in rabbits.