Toxic effects of Ustilago maydis and fumonisin B1 in rats

The toxicity of Ustilago maydis and the possible synergism with fumonisin B1 (FB1) were studied in Fischer rats by evaluating pathological changes and biochemical parameters in blood serum (LDH, ALT, GGT, ChE) and tissue homogenate of brain and liver (AChE, ChE, GGT, ALP). One experimental group (US) consumed diet with 70% of U. maydis galls and the other group (US+FB1) was fed pellets containing 70% of U. maydis galls and 1 mg of FB1 per kg of diet for 17 days. Control group (C) consumed standard pellets. During the trial, experimental animals were more excited, showing hyperactivity. Body mass gains slightly increased in both groups compared to the control. Gross pathological changes in liver, lungs, uterus and ovaries were more pronounced in the US+FB1 than in the US group. Specific catalytic activities of AChE decreased by 61% and by 63% in the liver and brain homogenate of the US group (p<0.05) compared to the control, indicating neurotoxic activity of U. maydis. Also, specific catalytic concentration of AChE and ALP was significantly decreased in the liver of the US+FB(1) group (p<0.05). Activity of LDH in the blood serum was increased up to 166% and 165% in the US+FB1 group (p<0.05) compared to the control and US group values, respectively, which indicates that FB1 was responsible for the disruption of cell membrane integrity. These findings suggest that Ustilago maydis and FB1 showed neurotoxicity in Fischer rats, which could be related to the alkaloids of U. maydis and disruption of sphingolipid metabolism by FB1 activity.