EFFECTS OF FUMONISIN B-1 TREATMENT ON BLOOD-BRAIN-BARRIER TRANSFER INDEVELOPING RATS

Fumonisin B-1 (FB1), a toxic metabolite of the fungus Fusarium monilif orme found in contaminated corn, is considered an etiologic agent of e quine leukoencephalomalacia. Because FB1 exposure is associated with a lteration of sphingolipid metabolism; the purpose of this study was to elucidate whether blood sphinganine (Sa) levels affect brain Sa level s. Sa and sphingosine (So) levels in brain tissue and plasma were anal yzed by HPLC. Area under the curve (AUC(0-->24h)) ratios of brain Sa t o plasma Sa levels were about 40 after a single 0.8 or 8 mg/kg SC dose of FB1. The AUC(0-->12h) ratio of brain FB1 to plasma FB1 was 0.02. T he fact that FB1 alters brain Sa levels and Sa/So ratios indicates tha t sphingolipid metabolism in the central nervous system of developing rats is vulnerable to FB1 exposure. These data support our hypothesis that alterations of the brain Sa levels are related to the direct acti on of FB1 on the brain rather than transport of peripheral Sa to the b rain. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.