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Embryotoxicity and mutagenicity of mycotoxins
R Roll1, G Matthiaschk, A Korte
1Abteilung Toxikologie, Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Embryotoxicity: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), G1 (AFG1), and Patulin (PA) were investigated in NMRI mice for embryotoxic and teratogenic activity. These three mycotoxins were injected intraperitoneally or given orally on day 12 and 13 of pregnancy. AFB1 (15, 45, and 90 mg/kg ip or 45 mg/kg po) produced moderate retardation in fetal development and a dose-related increase of cleft palates, wavy ribs, and diaphragm changes. The effects after injection of AFG1 (45 to 90 mg/kg ip) were reduction of fetal weights, increase of diaphragm changes, and malformations of kidneys. PA (1, 25, 2, 5, and 3.75 mg/kg ip or 3.75 mg/kg po) was found to elevate the rate of cleft palates after 3.75 mg/kg. Dominant lethal assay: Neither PA (2, 5, and 5 mg/kg ip) nor AFB1 (15 and 45 mg/kg ip) increased the frequency of the dominant lethal mutations. Both mycotoxins showed no mutagenic activity in this test system. Cytogenetic studies: The capability of the three mycotoxins AFB1, AFG1, and PA to induce chromosome damages in vivo has been tested in the Chinese hamster by examination of bone marrow cells. The substances were tested in each of two oral doses (AFB1: 12, 5, and 25 mg/kg; 25 and 50 mg/kg; PA: 10 and 20 mg/kg). The present data show that the three mycotoxins induce chromosome aberrations in the following order of activity: PA greater than AFB1 greater than AFG1.
Insights
This study investigated the embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), G1 (AFG1), and patulin (PA) in mice. While AFB1, AFG1, and PA showed varying degrees of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity, none induced dominant lethal mutations in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mycotoxins, including aflatoxins and patulin, are contaminants found in food and feed.
- Exposure to mycotoxins during pregnancy can pose risks to fetal development.
- Understanding the specific toxicological profiles of these mycotoxins is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the embryotoxic and teratogenic potential of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), and patulin (PA) in a mouse model.
- To assess the mutagenic activity of AFB1 and PA using the dominant lethal assay.
- To investigate the in vivo clastogenic activity of AFB1, AFG1, and PA in Chinese hamsters.
Main Methods:
- NMRI mice were administered AFB1, AFG1, and PA via intraperitoneal injection or oral gavage on days 12 and 13 of gestation.
- Fetal development, including malformations such as cleft palate and kidney defects, was examined.
- Dominant lethal assays and cytogenetic studies on bone marrow cells of Chinese hamsters were conducted.
Main Results:
- AFB1 induced fetal growth retardation, cleft palates, wavy ribs, and diaphragm changes.
- AFG1 caused reduced fetal weight, diaphragm abnormalities, and kidney malformations.
- Patulin elevated the incidence of cleft palates; however, neither AFB1 nor PA exhibited mutagenic activity in the dominant lethal assay. Cytogenetic studies revealed the order of chromosome aberration induction as PA > AFB1 > AFG1.
Conclusions:
- AFB1, AFG1, and PA exhibit distinct embryotoxic and teratogenic effects in mice.
- The mycotoxins tested did not demonstrate mutagenic potential in the dominant lethal assay.
- Patulin, aflatoxin B1, and aflatoxin G1 possess varying capacities to induce chromosome damage in vivo, with patulin being the most potent.