Preliminary communication: examination of the harmful effect to fetuses of fumonisin B(1) in pregnant sows

The Protective Effect of Melatonin against Fumonisin-Induced Renal Damage in Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of melatonin against the renal toxicity of fumonisin in female rats. Six groups of animals were used in this study. The first group served as control. The second group was given melatonin only at a dose level of 10 mg/kg. The third group was fed ration contaminated with fumonisin (100 mg/kg diet). The fourth group was fed ration contaminated with fumonisin (200 mg/kg diet). The fifth group was given daily interperitoneal injection (IP) 10 mg/kg melatonin and fed ration contaminated with fumonisin (100 mg/kg diet). The sixth group was given daily interperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg melatonin and fed ration contaminated with fumonisin (200 mg/kg diet). The rats were treated for 1 month. Histopathological and histochemical changes in the kidney were investigated. In addition, DNA ploidy was measured in the kidney. Fumonisin administration (100 or 200 mg/Kg diet) to unpretreated control rats caused extensive renal damage as evaluated by histopathology, histochemistry, and/or DNA ploidy measurement. No apparent changes following administration of melatonin. Melatonin coadministration to the fumonisin-administered rats reduced kidney damage and the tissues appeared more or less like the normal. The present study indicates that melatonin has a protective effect in fumonisin-induced renal damage.

Impact of two mycotoxins deoxynivalenol and fumonisin on pig intestinal health

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi that grow on a variety of substrates. Due to their high consumption of cereals and their sensitivity, pigs are highly impacted by the presence of mycotoxins. At the European level, regulations and recommendations exist for several mycotoxins in pig feed. Among these toxins, fumonisin B₁ (FB₁), and deoxynivalenol (DON) have a great impact on the intestine and the immune system. Indeed, the intestine is the first barrier to food contaminants and can be exposed to high concentrations of mycotoxins upon ingestion of contaminated feed. FB₁ and DON alter the intestinal barrier, impair the immune response, reduce feed intake and weight gain. Their presence in feed increases the translocation of bacteria; mycotoxins can also impair the immune response and enhance the susceptibility to infectious diseases. In conclusion, because of their effect on the intestine, FB₁ and DON are a major threat to pig health, welfare and performance.

Distribution and elimination of fumonisin analogues in weaned piglets after oral administration of Fusarium verticillioides fungal culture

The distribution and elimination of fumonisins after oral administration of 50 mg FB(1), 20 mg FB(2) and 5 mg FB(3) per animal day(-1) for 22 days was studied in weaned barrows. At the end of the trial, the lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, serum, bile, muscle, fat, urine and faeces samples were collected and their content of fumonisins (FB(1), FB(2)) determined by LC-MS. The highest FB(1) concentrations were found in the liver (99.4 +/- 37.5 ng g(-1)) and kidneys (30.6 +/- 10.1 ng g(-1)), whilst the highest average amount of FB(2) was in the liver (1.4 +/- 2.3 ng g(-1)) and fat (2.6 ng g(-1) +/- 4.8) samples. Comparing the FB(1)/FB(2) ratio in different organs (19/1), it was found that the ratio in the abdominal and subcutaneous fat samples (4/1) was markedly different from those in all other tissues, namely the relative proportion of FB(2) was higher in latter cases. Of the total quantity of FB(1), the 13% taken up during 5 days was excreted unchanged with the faeces and urine. On average, in the urine and faeces, FB(1) was detected in nine- and 14-fold quantities, as compared with FB(2).

Nerve conduction velocity and spinal reflexes may change in rats after fumonisin B1 exposure

Mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) a natural inhibitor of ceramide synthase contaminating mainly the corn-based food and feed may cause dysfunctions in the nervous system. In the present study peripheral neural dysfunctions were biomonitored after dietary FB1 exposure in rats. Daily oral doses of 6.2 mg/kg body weight/day FB1 were applied in rats for 2 weeks. Before and after FB1 treatment nerve conduction velocities of tibial and sciatic nerves and spinal reflexes were analyzed in vivo. Electrophysiological recordings of biphasic plantar EMG (M and H components) and evaluation of sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities were carried out. Nerve conduction velocities revealed decreasing tendencies after FB1 exposure. The flexor reflex and the H-components of the extensor reflex were significantly reduced. The proposed in vivo biomonitoring can reveal functional impairment of the peripheral nervous system caused by mycotoxin exposure. Reduction of conduction velocity and altered reflexes after FB1 exposure are suspected to be associated with modified signal transmission due to toxic systemic effects and possible changes in sphingolipid metabolism.