The acute effects of Aflatoxin B-1(AFB(1)) were evaluated on C57B1/6,
CBA/J, B10A and Balb/c mice challenged with a single intraperitoneal d
ose of the mycotoxin (60 mg/Kg animal weight). 90 mice per strain were
divided into three groups of 30 animals each: the intoxicated group a
nd control groups I and II. Intoxicated mice were injected intraperito
nealy with AFB(1) dissolved in corn oil, while control I mice received
corn oil only (0.01 ml/g) by the same route. Lots of 10 animals from
the intoxicated and control groups were sacrificed 24, 72 and 168 hour
s after challenge. Control mice II remained untreated and were used as
standards of normality for biochemical (hepatic and renal function) a
nd hematological evaluation. AFB(1) was detected in the liver of C57B1
/6 and CBA/J mice 24 hours(1.46 and 0.75 ng/g, respectively), 72 hours
(2.30 and 0.08 ng/g, respectively), and 168 hours (2.18 and 0.25 ng/g
, respectively) after challenge. The mycotoxin was also observed in th
e liver of B10A. mice (6.20 ng/g) 72 hours post-injection. The most ev
ident histological lesions were observed 168 hours after treatment in
C57B1/6 and B10A mice. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase in intoxic
ated C57B1/6 and B10A mice were significantly higher than those of con
trol I and II animals. The histopathologic lesions and biochemical cha
nges were very discrete in Balb/c and CBA/J mice. It is included that
strains C57B1/6 and B10A are more susceptible than strains CBA/J and B
alb/c to the acute effects of AFB(1). Such difference probably reflect
s each strains's ability to biotransform and eliminate AFB(1) and its
metabolites.