Reduced aflatoxicosis in livers of hamsters fed a manganese sulfate supplement

Male, weanling Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were given (for 10 weeks) diets supplemented with manganese sulfate, aflatoxin, or a combination of both. All animals were killed and a histopathologic evaluation was performed on each liver to assess the influence of a manganese-supplemented diet on aflatoxicosis. Serum cholesterol and liver glycogen levels were also analyzed to further study the interaction of manganese and aflatoxin. Characteristic aflatoxin-induced precancerous histopathologic changes were observed in animals receiving the toxin. These changes included bile duct cell hyperplasia, enlarged nuclei, nuclear inclusions, and megala-hepatocytes. The dietary manganese addition to aflatoxin animals caused a slight reduction in the bile duct cell hyperplasia and significantly reduced the enlarged nuclei and nuclear inclusions. The latter indicates that the manganese may be influencing membrane chemistry. Animals receiving aflatoxin alone showed significantly increased serum cholesterol and liver glycogen. The cholesterol levels were significantly increased over the aflatoxin-induced levels when manganese was given in combination with the aflatoxin. The manganese lowered the increased liver glycogen levels caused by the aflatoxin. Dietary manganese shows some potential in suppressing several, but not all, of the aspects of developing aflatoxicosis in the hamster. The specific mode and site of action of manganese requires additional study.