Intracellular localization of aflatoxin B1 in rat and human livers

Hepatocytes of rats fed with a diet containing Aflatoxin B1 show a strong primary fluorescence both in cytoplasm and nucleus. This fluorescence does not exist in control animals fed either with nonfluorescent carcinogens or fluorescent molecules devoid of carcinogenicity. In this work, the primary fluorescence is likely to be due to the presence of aflatoxin B1 (and/or its fluorescent metabolites) in the liver. The same fluorescent microscopy technique was applied to human liver fragments originating from countries known for the high risk of primary liver cancer (Zaire, Uganda). A fluorescence similar to that observed in rat livers was demonstrated. This fluorescence may be due to the occurrence of aflatoxins in the liver.