BILIARY-EXCRETION OF THE MYCOTOXIN FUMONISIN B-1 IN RATS

The biliary excretion of the mycotoxin fumonisin B, (FB,), produced by the fungus Alsarium moniliforme Sheldon, has been measured in male Wi star rats. After ip injection of a solution of FB1 (7.5 mg/kg body wei ght), 67% of the applied dose was recovered in bile over a 24-hr perio d, 88% of this recovery being excreted in the first 4 hr after dosing. In contrast to these results, a similar dose of FB1 given by gavage r esulted in only 0.2% recovery of the toxin in bile over a 24-hr period . Hence, although these results show that biliary excretion is a major route of elimination of FB1 from the circulation, only small amounts of the toxin appeared to be absorbed from the gut in rats.