Experimental subchronic mycotoxicoses in mice: individual and combined effects of dietary exposure to fumonisins and aflatoxin B1

We have used a murine model of subchronic mycotoxicoses produced by ingesti on of mycotoxins. The five groups of animals studied were fed for 30, 60 an d 90 days, respectively, with commercial diet (CD), experimental control di et (ECD), experimental with fumonisin B1 diet (EFD) and experimental with m ixtures of mycotoxins diet (EMD). The animals fed EFD and EMD showed a sign ificant increase in feed consumption/day with respect to the animals fed EC D (P < 0.005 for both groups). The biochemical measurements showed signific ant differences at 90 days in those animals fed EAD exhibiting a marked dec rease in the values of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cholesterol (P < 0.05 ), along with a significant increase in calcium (P < 0.01). Differences in the decrease of the parameters studied were observed in mice fed EFD for tr iglycerides, cholesterol and calcium (P < 0.05 for all of them). The activi ty of aspartate transaminase (AST) increased significantly in animals fed E MD (P < 0.01). The tissue specimens at 60 days showed lesions in the livers of the animals fed EAD and EFD. At 90 days, and in those fed EAD, EFD and EMD, the lesions were intensified in the liver at 60 days in 80, 90 and 100 % of the animals, respectively. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.