Effects of prolonged oral administration of fumonisin B-1 and aflatoxin B-1 in rats

The effects of prolonged oral administration (21 days) of fumonisin B-1 (FB 1) and aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) were evaluated on male Wistar rats. The anima ls were housed in individual metabolic cages and submitted to the following treatments: 1-0 mug AFB(1) + 0 mg FB1/100g bw.; 2-72 mug AFB(1)+ 0 mg FB1/ 100 g bw; 3-0 mug AFB(1) + 0.5 mg FB1 g bw; 4-0 mug AFB(1) + 1.5 mg FB1/100 g bw; 5-72 mug AFB(1) + 0.5 mg FB1/100g bw; 6-72 mu gAFB(1) + 1.5 mg FB1/1 00g bw. On day 21, the rats were sacrificed for evaluation. The results sho wed that treated animals presented differences in body weight and absolute/ relative weights of liver and kidney as well as altered hepatic function an d cholesterol blood levels. Rats fed with the greatest doses of AFB(1) and FB1 gained less weight (2.79 g/day) at the end of the experimental period; their blood concentrations of liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST ) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were above control levels (130.35 mu /l and 471.00 mu /l, respectively). Blood cholesterol increased in the groups tre ated with the highest dose of FB1 or FB1 associated with AFB(1). Histopatho logy revealed the occurrence of apoptosis in the liver of rats exposed to F B1. The association of aflatoxin B-1 with fumonisin B-1 at higher dose prob ably potentiated the effects of the higher dose of fumonisin B(1)acting sin gly.