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Changes in the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular function and some drug metabolizing processes in rats and guinea-pigs intoxicated with aflatoxin B1.

The effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the reactivity of the peripheral vessels, passage through the gastrointestinal system, production of hydrochloric acid and some liver functions were analyzed. The results shown the decreased glucuronidizing ability of the liver (58% of the initial value) accompanied by an increased amount of the unconjugated substrate while glycine conjugation was not changed in animals on the 3rd day after the treatment with AFB1. The uptake of 99mTc-SnO2 colloid was 1.14 times lower in the liver and 1.94 times higher in the spleen in AFB1 treated animals. A lowered activity of the glucuronizing system and a possibly indirectly lowered uptake of tin colloid in the liver indicate the toxic effect of AFB1 in hepatocytes. The other parameters studied were not changed or were changed only slightly.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Inhibition of various functions in murine peritoneal macrophages by aflatoxin B1 exposure in vivo.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been known to impair specific and nonspecific immunity. In the present study, we tested various functions of murine peritoneal macrophages that were isolated and stimulated with LPS after AFB1 (400 microg/5 ml/kg) was administered every other day for 2 weeks. AFB1 decreased phagocytosis and the production of superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), compared to those of corn oil-treated control group. In addition, the production of NO and TNF-alpha was decreased in macrophages of AFB1-treated mice. In vitro antitumor activity of in vivo AFB1-treated macrophages was reduced against target cell, L929. Taken together, these results suggested that AFBI might have the immunosuppressive effect on macrophages after in vivo exposure, which was related to the antitumor activity reduction.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Activity of some respiratory enzymes and cytochrome contents in rat hepatic mitochondria following aflatoxin B1 administration.

Effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) administration (7 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) on rat hepatic mitochondrial respiratory components have been examined. Succinoxidase and cytochrome oxidase activities were decreased in liver mitochondria isolated from rats 12-24 h after AFB1 treatment. Both enzyme activities returned to normal levels after 48 h. Glutamate dehydrogenase and beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activities did not show any alterations up to 24 h and thereafter increased at 48-72 h. Succinate dehydrogenase activity was impaired by 41% at 12 h and thereafter was found to be normal. The intramitochondrial cytochrome b content declined at 24-72 h, whereas cytochrome aa3 content was decreased maximally at 72 h after AFB1 administration. These observations on mitochondrial enzyme activities and cytochrome contents correlate well with our earlier observations made on hepatic mitochondrial respiratory rates after AFB1 treatment. The impairment of respiratory functions possibly results from membrane damage and selective modification of gene expression in mitochondria imparted by AFB1.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Changes in hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity and expression of its class-P during prenatal and postnatal period in rats treated with aflatoxin B1.

The effect of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the expression of glutathione S-transferase-P (GST-P) which is the major isoform of GST in developmental stages has been investigated in rat liver during prenatal and postnatal stages. Following administration of AFB1 (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0 mg/kg bw) injected I.P on day 8.5 of gestation the number of dead or reabsorbed fetuses and malformed embryos were recorded. Then the fetal livers were processed for measurement of total GST and GST-P activities, using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and ethacrynic acid (ETA) as substrates respectively. RT-PCR using rat GST-P specific primers was performed on mRNA extracted from livers. Besides, the effects of AFB1 on hepatic GST and GST-P were assessed in groups of suckling rats directly injected with the toxin. The results show that a single dose of AFB1 (1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg bw) caused approximately 50-60% depletion in fetal liver GST towards CDNB. Postnatal experiments revealed that liver GST (using CDNB as substrate) was significantly induced (approximately 40%) in suckling rats injected with a single dose of AFB1 (3.0 mg AFB1/kg) 24 h before killing. Liver GST-P expression was unaffected due to AFB1 exposures of rats before and after the birth. This finding was substantiated by western blotting and RT-PCR techniques. These data suggest that AFB1-related induction in rat liver total GST after birth may be implicated in protective mechanisms against AFB1. In contrast, inhibition of this enzyme in fetal liver following placental transfer of the carcinogen may explain high susceptibility of fetal cells to trans-plancental aflatoxins. Furthermore, lack of influence of AFB1 on GST-P expression in developmental stages can role out the involvement of this class of GST in AFB1 biotransformation.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Mechanisms of aflatoxin B1 lung tumorigenesis.

Although aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is best known as a hepatocarcinogen, the respiratory system can also be a target of this mycotoxin. In isolated lung cells from rabbits and mice, AFB1 is bioactivated by cytochromes P450, primarily in nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cells. However, mutagenesis experiments suggest that the DNA-binding AFB1 epoxide metabolite can leave the cells of origin, and potentially interact with other cell types. Consistent with DNA adduct studies, AFB1-induced AC3F1 mouse lung tumors contain point mutations at guanine residues in K-ras, with the anticipated bias for the A/J allele. Furthermore, following AFB1 treatment but prior to tumor development, K-ras mutations occur preferentially in mouse Clara cells. However, in contrast to findings with other carcinogens, AFB1-induced mouse lung tumors demonstrate frequent, but heterogeneously distributed, overexpression of p53 protein as well as p53 point mutations, suggesting a carcinogen-specific response. Unlike lung tissue from mice and rabbits, human peripheral lung bioactivates AFB1 primarily by prostaglandin H synthase--and/or lipoxygenase-catalyzed cooxidation, with activity concentrated in macrophages. In addition, although glutathione S-transferase M1-1 has high specific activity for AFB1 epoxide conjugation, lung tissues from GSTM1-null individuals do not demonstrate diminished rates of conjugation, compared to tissues from GSTM1-positive individuals. In summary, AFB1 tumorigenesis in mice demonstrates unique properties, and processes of bioactivation show significant species differences.

Aflatoxin B1↗

[Relationship between lung cancer and aflatoxin B1].

The relationship between aflatoxins and liver cancer is well established. In addition the inhalation exposure to carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB 1) is considerable. Genotoxic chemical is known to react with DNA either directly or after metabolic activation to form adducts, a step thought to be relevant with respect to chemical carcinogenesis. The presence and the amount of specific DNA adducts provide a good indication of chemical exposure and genetic damage resulting the exposure to carcinogens and account for same of factors affecting individual susceptibility to cancer. Analysis of DNA adducts requires that the sensitivity of the methods to be sufficient high to allow detection of about 1 adduct/109 normal nucleotides. Most suitable method is based in physiochemical technique such as HPLC. Because circumstantial epidemiological evidence suggests that AFB1 inhalation may cause primary lung cancer. We investigate AFB1 by HPLC in three different tobacco sources, and in 39 patients with compatible lung cancer or chronic bronchitis. The patients were divided by clinical manifestations in lung cancer (n: 25) and chronic bronchitis (n: 14). Twenty-three of 25 patients presented epidermoid lung cancer within smoking habit, and 2 of 25 presented adenocarcinoma without smoking habit. In chronic bronchitis group 12 of 14 cases presented smoking habit. The control PBS liquid was negative to AFB1; the different tobacco sources, a) Virginia of Jujuy, b) Brasilero and c) black of Salta presented AFB1 positive determinations respectively. The bronchial tissues obtained by lung biopsies presented positive AFB1 in lung epidermoid cancer at 0.68 +/- 0.82 mg/L. The adenocarcinoma presented AFB1 negative determinations. In chronic bronchitis patients with smoking habit (n: 12) presented AFB1 positive with a level less than the epidermoid lung cancer group, 0.21 +/- 0.109 mg/L, p < .025.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Dominant contribution of P450 3A4 to the hepatic carcinogenic activation of aflatoxin B1.

The hepatic carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is metabolized in the liver by at least four different P450s, all of which exhibit large interindividual differences in the expression levels. These differences could affect the individual risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the metabolism of AFB1 in a panel of 13 human liver microsomal preparations using a hepatic abundance model, which takes into account the specific kinetic parameters and the expression levels of these P450s. We found a 12-fold variability in the production rate of the carcinogenic metabolite AFB1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO) and a 22-fold variability in the production of the detoxification product AFQ1. The ratio between the AFBO and the AFQ1 production rates varied between 1:19 and 1:1.7. P450 3A4 contributed a majority of AFBO and AFQ1, and its expression level was the most important determinant of the AFB1 disposition toward these primary metabolites. P450 3A5, which exclusively produced AFBO, was the second-most important enzyme activating AFB1 to AFBO, followed by P450 3A7 and P450 1A2. The relative contribution of AFBO by P450 3A5 strongly depended on the concomitant expression of P450 3A4, and it was as high as 15% in a P450 3A5 high expressor with the lowest P450 3A4 expression of all livers. The P450 1A2-specific AFB1 detoxification product AFM1 was not detected. In conclusion, the variable expression of P450s has a major effect on the carcinogenic activation of AFB1, which may affect the individual predisposition to HCC. P450 3A4 expression is the most important determinant of AFB1 activation to AFBO. The contribution of P450 1A2 to AFB1 metabolism appears to be negligible and may have been overestimated. Targeted chemoprevention of AFB1-associated HCC should consider P450 3A4 inhibitors and avoidance of P450 3A4 inducers.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Association of aflatoxin B1 with plasma components in vitro.

The in vitro association of [3H]aflatoxin B1 with plasma from man, pig and rat was compared. The uptake of aflatoxin B1 into plasma was rapid and did not differ between species. Its association with lipoprotein fractions was minimal when incubated with whole plasma; column chromatography of plasma from all 3 species resulted in the elution of the aflatoxin B1 with the low Mr plasma proteins. It is concluded that although aflatoxin B1 is a hydrophobic compound, it does not partition into the plasma lipoproteins and that its in vitro uptake into plasma does not differ among the 3 species studied. Plasma transport is probably not one of the factors determining species specificity for carcinogenesis by aflatoxin B1.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Influence of temperature cycling on the production of aflatoxins B1 and G1 by Aspergillus parasiticus.

The effect of temperature cycling on the relative productions of aflatoxins B1 and G1 by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 was studied. The cycling of temperature between 33 and 15 degrees C favored aflatoxin B1 accumulation, whereas cycling between 35 and 15 degrees C favored aflatoxin G1 production. Cultures subjected to temperature cycling between 33 and 25 degrees C at various time intervals changed the relative productions of aflatoxins B1 and G1 drastically. Results obtained with temperature cycling and yeast extract-sucrose medium with ethoxyquin to decrease aflatoxin G1 production suggest that the enzyme system responsible for the conversion of aflatoxin B1 to G1 might be more efficient at 25 degrees C than at 33 degrees C. The possible explanation of the effect of both constant and cycling temperatures on the relative accumulations of aflatoxins B1 and G2 might be through the control of the above enzyme system. The study also showed that greater than 57% of aflatoxin B1, greater than 47% of aflatoxin G1, and greater than 50% of total aflatoxins (B1 plus G1) were in the mycelium by day 10 under both constant and cyclic temperature conditions.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Chemoprevention of aflatoxin B1 hepatocarcinogenesis by coumarin, a natural benzopyrone that is a potent inducer of aflatoxin B1-aldehyde reductase, the glutathione S-transferase A5 and P1 subunits, and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase in rat liver.

Structurally diverse compounds can confer resistance to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat. Treatment with either phytochemicals [benzyl isothiocyanate, coumarin (CMRN), or indole-3-carbinol] or synthetic antioxidants and other drugs (butylated hydroxyanisole, diethyl maleate, ethoxyquin, beta-naphthoflavone, oltipraz, phenobarbital, or trans-stilbene oxide) has been found to increase hepatic aldo-keto reductase activity toward AFB1-dialdehyde and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity toward AFB1-8,9-epoxide in both male and female rats. Under the conditions used, the natural benzopyrone CMRN was a major inducer of the AFB1 aldehyde reductase (AFAR) and the aflatoxin-conjugating class-alpha GST A5 subunit in rat liver, causing elevations of between 25- and 35-fold in hepatic levels of these proteins. Induction was not limited to AFAR and GSTA5: treatment with CMRN caused similar increases in the amount of the class-pi GST P1 subunit and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase in rat liver. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the overexpression of AFAR, GSTA5, GSTP1, and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase affected by CMRN is restricted to the centrilobular (periacinar) zone of the lobule, sometimes extending almost as far as the portal tract. This pattern of induction was also observed with ethoxyquin, oltipraz, and trans-stilbene oxide. By contrast, induction of these proteins by beta-naphthoflavone and diethyl maleate was predominantly periportal. Northern blotting showed that induction of these phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes by CMRN was accompanied by similar increases in the levels of their mRNAs. To assess the biological significance of enzyme induction by dietary CMRN, two intervention studies were performed in which the ability of the benzopyrone to inhibit either AFB1-initiated preneoplastic nodules (at 13 weeks) or AFB1-initiated liver tumors (at 50 weeks) was investigated. Animals pretreated with CMRN for 2 weeks prior to administration of AFB1, and with continued treatment during exposure to the carcinogen for a further 11 weeks, were protected completely from development of hepatic preneoplastic lesions by 13 weeks. In the longer-term dietary intervention, treatment with CMRN before and during exposure to AFB1 for a total of 24 weeks was found to significantly inhibit the number and size of tumors that subsequently developed by 50 weeks. These data suggest that consumption of a CMRN-containing diet provides substantial protection against the initiation of AFB1 hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat.

Aflatoxin B1↗

The metabolism of aflatoxin B1 by hepatocytes isolated from rats following the in vivo administration of some xenobiotics.

Isolated rat hepatocytes, an intact cellular system capable of performing phase I and phase II metabolism, have been used to investigate metabolism of aflatoxin B1. These cells were found to metabolise [14C]aflatoxin B1 to aflatoxins M1 and Q1, and to radiolabelled polar material, presumably conjugates, as analysed by h.p.l.c., t.l.c. and radioactive determination. In vivo administration of the mixed function oxidase inducers, phenobarbitone and 3-methylcholanthrene, resulted in enhanced hepatocyte phase I (microsomal) metabolism of aflatoxin B1. In contrast to metabolism of AFB1 by in vitro subcellular systems increased production of polar material (conjugated metabolites) derived from [14C]aflatoxin B1 was also detected in hepatocytes isolated from these pretreated animals. Formation of aflatoxin Q1 by isolated hepatocytes appeared to be mediated by cytochrome P450-linked enzymes whereas cytochrome P448-linked enzymes were apparently involved in aflatoxin M1 production. Chronic feeding of aflatoxin B1 to rats enhanced hepatocyte production of conjugated material only and did not elevate cellular cytochrome P450 levels, thus suggesting that aflatoxin B1 is not an inducer of its own primary metabolism.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Aflatoxin B1 metabolism by 3-methylcholanthrene-induced hamster hepatic cytochrome P-450s.

We have studied the activation of aflatoxin B1 by hamster liver microsomes and purified hamster cytochrome P-450 isozymes using a umu mutagen test. The hamster liver microsomes or S-9 fractions were much more active than rat liver microsomes or S-9 fractions in the activation of umu gene expression by aflatoxin B1 metabolites. 3-Methyl-cholanthrene treatment increased aflatoxin B1 activation by hamster liver microsomes. Two major 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450 isozymes, P-450 MC1 (IIA) and P-450 MC4 (IA2), were purified from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated hamster liver microsomes, and the metabolism of aflatoxin B1 by these two cytochromes was studied. In the reconstituted enzyme system, both P-450 MC1 and P-450 MC4 were highly active in the activation of aflatoxin B1, and antibodies against these P-450s specifically inhibited these activities. Antibody against P-450 MC1 inhibited the activation of aflatoxin B1 by 20% in the presence of 3-methyl-cholanthrene-treated hamster liver microsomes. In contrast, antibody against P-450 MC4 stimulated the activity by 175%. These results indicated that hamster P-450 MC1 might convert aflatoxin B1 to more toxic metabolite(s), whereas P-450 MC4 might convert aflatoxin B1 to less toxic metabolite(s), than aflatoxin B1 in liver microsomes. The metabolite(s) produced by both hamster cytochrome P-450 MC1 and MC4 were genotoxic in the umu mutagen test.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Fluorescence energy transfer measurements of the complexes of aflatoxin B1 and cytochromes P-450.

The distances between the heme of cytochrome P-450 and the substrate, aflatoxin B1, in the complex of aflatoxin B1 and each of two species of cytochrome P-450 were determined by fluorescence energy transfer measurements. Cytochromes P-450 used were cytochrome P-450 I-d and cytochrome P-450 II-a prepared from hepatic microsomes of polychlorinated biphenyl-treated rats; the main metabolic products of aflatoxin B1 were aflatoxin Q1 and aflatoxin M1, respectively. The distances between the heme and the substrate were calculated to be 6.9nm and 4.7nm in cytochrome P-450 I-d and cytochrome P-450 II-a, respectively. The results suggest that the difference in the metabolic products of aflatoxin B1 is due to the difference in the conformation of the enzyme-substrate complexes.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Reduction of aflatoxin B1 in chicken feed by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhizopus oligosporus and their combination.

Aflatoxin B1 is a toxigenic and carcinogenic compound produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. An approach to prevent aflatoxin contamination in feed was carried out by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) and Rhizopus oligosporus (Ro). Aspergillus flavus was cultured together with Sc, Ro and their combination (ScRo) in chicken feed. The aflatoxin B1 content was observed at day 0, 5, 10 and 15. The result showed that aflatoxin B1 contaminations in feed were reduced by Sc, Ro and ScRo addition. The highest reduction of aflatoxin B1 content was shown at day 5 for all treatments with Sc, Ro and ScRo. The best activity of reducing aflatoxin B1 was shown by Ro. Although the ability of reducing aflatoxin B1 of Sc, Ro or ScRo was not significantly different, Sc or Ro gave the better result than ScRo and they are better used individually.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Mutation induction by rodent liver microsomal metabolities of aflatoxins B1 and G1 in Neurospora crassa.

The mutagenic activities of aflatoxins B1 and G1 were studied in the ad-3 test system of Neurospora crassa by treatment of conidia with aflatoxin and liver homogenate for 2 h. No significant increase in the ad-3 mutation frequency over the spontaneous frequency was observed when either aflatoxin or mammalian liver homogenate was omitted from the test system. The ad-3 mutation frequencies increased to between 29 and 87/10(6) survivors, which is a 73- to 217-fold increase over the average spontaneous ad-3 mutation frequency (0.4/10(6) survivors), after conidia of N. crassa were treated with 0.67 mM aflatoxin B1, hamster liver homogenate, and a NADPH generating system. A 9- to 15-fold increase in the mutation frequency over the spontaneous mutation frequency was found when 0.67 mM of aflatoxin G1 instead of aflatoxin B1 was used in the test system. Treatment of conidia with 0.44 mM aflatoxin B1 mice liver homogenate and a NADPH generating system caused a small, but significant increase in the ad-3 mutation frequencies. No significant increase in the mutation frequency was found when a single sample of human liver homogenate was used in the test system. These studies show that metabolic activation is necessary for the expression of the mutagenic activity of aflatoxins B1 and G1 in N. crassa.

Aflatoxins↗

Urinary excretion of thiol conjugates of aflatoxin B1 in rats and hamsters.

After intraperitoneal injection of [3H]aflatoxin B1 in rats and hamsters, 24-h urinary excretion of aflatoxin B1 metabolites was examined in these species. Total excretion was 10-15% of the injected dose with hamster excreting 50% more than the rat. In both species, 60% of the total excretion was due to glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of hydroxy metabolites. Striking differences were observed in the excretion of both aflatoxin B1-diol and various thiol conjugates. Aflatoxin B1-glutathione and aflatoxin B1-cysteinylglycine were major thiol conjugates in rats and hamsters, respectively. An unknown metabolite believed to be mercapturic acid (N-acetylcysteine conjugate) of aflatoxin B1 was excreted by both species, hamster excreting twice as much as the rat.

Acetylcysteine↗

Parasitological effects of simultaneous infections induced by Schistosoma mansoni and aflatoxin B1 in Syrian golden hamsters.

To determine the effect of S. mansoni and aflatoxin B1, 120 hamsters were divided into six groups of 20 each as follows: group I, S. mansoni only, group II, aflatoxin B1 only, group III, S. mansoni then aflatoxin B1 eight week, group IV, aflatoxin B1 then infected with S. mansoni six weeks, later, group V, aflatoxin B1 and S. mansoni simultaneously, group VI control. Loss of body, liver, and spleen weight was more prominent in groups IV and V than in other four groups. The higher mortality rate was in group III. Animals treated with aflatoxin followed by S. mansoni infection appeared to have a less deteriorating effect on the liver (group IV) than group III treated with by S. mansoni first followed by aflatoxin treatment. No morphological abnormalities were detected in the worms including testicular changes in males but a significant number of females was immature even in copula (P < 0.01) in groups III, IV, and V. The average number of S. mansoni eggs was less in groups III, IV, and V in comparison to group I. No abnormalities were detected in the eggs for groups infected with S. mansoni. The diameters of granulomas around eggs, were large on an average in groups III, IV and V as compared with groups I and II.

Aflatoxin B1↗

The toxic and teratogenic effect of aflatoxin B1 on the chick embryo development.

The embryotoxic and teratogenic effect of aflatoxin B1 was tested on the chick embryo. Aflatoxin B1 was injected into the embryonic area in doses of 1/100 ppm and 1/500 ppm in the 96th h of incubation. Aflatoxin B1 toxicity caused a rise in the mortality rate from 6.6% (controls) to 35% in the chicken injected with 1/100 ppm aflatoxin B1 and to 26% in the lot given 1/500 ppm. Several malformations were also noticed: spina bifida, anophthalmia, maxillary retrognathism, distorted legs and evisceration; the group receiving 1/100 ppm aflatoxin B1 also showed bone development retardation of the wing, leg, maxilla and mandible.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗