ACUTE EFFECT OF AFLATOXIN B-1 ON INBRED STRAINS OF MICE-I

The acute effect of Aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1))) was evaluated on 30 days o ld C57B1/6 male mice (average weight: 20 g), challenged with a single intraperitoneal dose of the mycotoxin. Three groups of 30 animals each were used: the intoxicated group and control groups I and II. Intoxic ated mice were injected intraperitoneally with AFB(1) (60 mg/kg animal weight) dissolved in corn oil (0.01 mL/g), while control mice I recei ved corn oil only by the same route. Lots of 10 animals were sacrifice d from the intoxicated and control I groups 24, 72 and 168 hours after challenge. Control mice II remained untreated and were used as standa rds of normality for the biochemical (hepatic and renal function) and hematological evaluations. AFB(1) was detected in the livers of intoxi cated mice 24 hours (146 ng/g), 72 hours (2.30 ng/ gland 168 hours (2. 18 ng/g) after challenge. The most evident histologic lesions observed 168 hours after treatment with AFB(1) were vacuolization of hepatocyt es and disruption of the architecture of the liver parenchyma. High se rum levels of alkaline phosphatase were observed in the treated mice 2 4 and 72 hours after injection. The present study showed that the live r is the target organ for AFB(1) in C57B1/6 mice, causing histopatholo gic lesions and biochemical changes which are probably related to a sl ower process of AFB(1) biotransformation and elimination, thus increas ing the susceptibility of this mouse strain to the mycotoxin.