Aflatoxins are food-contaminating metabolites that can intoxicate and damage multiple
organs. This study compared the effects of administration OF aflatoxin powder (AFP) and
aflatoxin liquid (AFS) on the testes and lungs of rats and explored their potential mechanisms
of action.
Fifteen rats were divided equally into 3 groups. Aflatoxin B1 powder (0.5 mg/kg) and
aflatoxin B1 liquid (0.5 mg/kg) were orally administered to the AFP and AFS group,
respectively, for 21 days. The control group was fed a basal pellet diet and water. The rats were
weighed at the beginning of the trial and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days. Blood samples were
drawn at the end of the experiments and analysed for complete blood count (CBC), i.e. red
blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin content, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean
corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelet, neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, basophil, and eosinophil counts. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) as oxidative stress biomarkers were determined, as well as serum testosterone. Testes and lungs were examined under a light microscope to assess the aflatoxin B1-induced histopathological changes.
Weight gain and its percentages were significantly higher in the AFS group than in the AFP group (P <0.050). Neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and basophil counts were also significantly increased in the AFP and AFS groups in comparison to the controls. A significant increase in eosinophil count was noted in the AFP group as compared to controls, while the lymphocyte count was significantly higher in the AFS group than in the AFP group. Testosterone serum levels significantly decreased in both groups (AFP and AFS) relative to the control group. MDA and NO serum levels were also significantly higher in the AFS group than in the AFP group, while the levels in both groups (AFP and AFS) were higher than in controls. Histological examination of the testes revealed severe testicular damage, the loss of the spermatogenesis process, and necrosis, degeneration, shrinkage, and atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in both the AFP and AFS groups. Histological observations of the lungs showed large numbers of inflammatory cells, mast cell infiltration, dilated alveolar sacs with exudates, and marked haemorrhage in both groups (AFP and AFS). The histological damage to the testes and lungs was more prominent in the AFS group than in the AFP group.
The results demonstrated elevated oxidative stress markers and reduced serum testosterone levels in AFP and AFS-treated rats. Both organs studied (testes and lung) were severely damaged, with more pronounced changes in the AFS-treated group than in the AFP group.
KEY WORDS: Aflatoxin B1, Lung, Oxidative stress, Rats, Testes.