Immunobiological effects of fumonisin B1 in experimental subchronic mycotoxicoses in rats.

THEUMER, MG; LOPEZ, AG; MASIH, DT; CHULZE, SN; RUBINSTEIN, HR

American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

Lugar: USA; Año: 2002 vol. 9 p. 149 - 149

b> Fumonisin B1 (FB1), the principal secondary metabolite produced by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides (Gibberella fujikuroi mating population A), is a potent toxin that can be found in fungus-contaminated corn and corn-based food products. We have investigated the immunobiological effects of subchronic dietary exposure to FB1 in male Wistar rats. Animals were fed with diets containing 0 (control) or 100 ppm of FB1 for 12 weeks. The total FB1 intake on day 90 was 810 mg/kg of body weight. Food consumption, body weight, and body weight gain on day 90 were reduced in animals exposed to FB1. Histopathologic changes consisted of histiocytic perivascular infiltrate and an increased number of Kupffer cells in the liver, necrosis and apopt