CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF FUMONISINS IN SWINE

Fumonisins, mycotoxins produced by Fusarium moniliforme, induce hepati c damage and acute lethal pulmonary edema in swine. We examined the ca rdiovascular effects of short-term fumonisin exposure in anesthetized and conscious male cross-bred pigs weighing 30-36 kg. Culture material containing fumonisins at less than or equal to 20 mg/kg/day (fumonisi n B-1 and B-2 backbone) was added to the feed of treated pigs (n = 5) for 7 days, while control pigs (n = 5) were fed a diet free of fumonis ins. On Day 8, pigs were anesthetized with halothane and instrumented with Swan-Ganz catheters to facilitate hemodynamic measurements. Mean pulmonary artery pressure, central venous pressure, heart rate, cardia c output, and electrocardiographic variables were recorded and stroke volume was calculated. All measurements were repeated at least 18 hr a fter recovery from anesthesia. Pigs fed fumonisins had a significant i ncrease in mean pulmonary artery pressure, accompanied by decreased he art rate, cardiac output, and mixed venous oxygen tension. The electro cardiogram was normal, and there was no evidence of pulmonary edema fo rmation either histologically or by altered lung wet/dry weights. This study suggests that pulmonary hypertension caused by hypoxic vasocons triction may be associated with the pulmonary edema observed in fumoni sin toxicity. (C) 1996 Society of Toxicology