In Vivo Genotoxicity and Toxicity Assessment of Sterigmatocystin Individually and in Mixture with Aflatoxin B1

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Toxicology
• Genetics

Background:

• Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and sterigmatocystin (STER), are common contaminants in food and feed.
• Exposure often occurs through mixtures, necessitating studies on their combined effects.
• Sterigmatocystin (STER) has limited in vivo genotoxicity data available.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the in vivo genotoxicity of STER, AFB1, and their mixture.
• To investigate potential interactions between STER and AFB1 at the genotoxic and toxicokinetic levels.

Main Methods:

• Wistar rats were orally dosed with STER, AFB1, or a mixture.
• An integrated micronucleus (bone marrow) and comet assay (liver and kidney) were performed.
• LC-MS/MS was used to confirm mycotoxin exposure; general toxicity was assessed.

Main Results:

• No significant increase in micronuclei was observed in bone marrow.
• Slight DNA damage (strand breaks and Fpg-sensitive sites) was detected in livers exposed to AFB1 or the mixture.
• No alterations in general toxicity parameters were found, but a possible toxicokinetic interaction was suggested.

Conclusions:

• Individual genotoxicity of STER and AFB1 was not confirmed under the tested conditions.
• The study did not establish genotoxic interactions in the mixture due to the absence of individual genotoxicity.
• A potential toxicokinetic interaction between STER and AFB1 warrants further investigation.