Effects of prolonged oral administration of fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1 in rats

The effects of prolonged oral administration (21 days) of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were evaluated on male Wistar rats. The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages and submitted to the following treatments: 1-0 μg AFB1 + 0 mg FB1/100g bw.; 2-72 μg AFB1+ 0 mg FB1/100 g bw; 3-0 μg AFB1 + 0.5 mg FB1 g bw; 4-0 μg AFB1 + 1.5 mg FB1/100 g bw; 5-72 μg AFB1 + 0.5 mg FB1/100g bw; 6-72 μgAFB1 + 1.5 mg FB1/100g bw. On day 21, the rats were sacrificed for evaluation. The results showed that treated animals presented differences in body weight and absolute/relative weights of liver and kidney as well as altered hepatic function and cholesterol blood levels. Rats fed with the greatest doses of AFB1 and FB1 gained less weight (2.79 g/day) at the end of the experimental period; their blood concentrations of liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were above control levels (130.35 μ/l and 471.00 μ/l, respectively). Blood cholesterol increased in the groups treated with the highest dose ofFB1 or FB1 associated with AFB1. Histopathology revealed the occurrence of apoptosis in the liver of rats exposed to FB1. The association of aflatoxin B1 with fumonisin B1 at higher dose probably potentiated the effects of the higher dose of fumonisin B1acting singly.