Calcium montmorillonite clay reduces AFB₁ and FB₁ biomarkers in rats exposed to single and co‐exposures of aflatoxin and fumonisin

Abstract

Aflatoxins (AFs) and fumonisins (FBs) can co-contaminate foodstuffs and have been associated with hepatocellular and esophageal carcinomas in humans at high risk for exposure. One strategy to reduce exposure (and toxicity) from contaminated foodstuffs is the dietary inclusion of a montmorillonite clay (UPSN) that binds AFs and FBs in the GI tract. In this study, the binding capacity of UPSN was evaluated for AFB1, FB1 and a combination thereof in Fischer-344 rats. Rats were pre-treated with different dietary levels of UPSN (0.25 or 2%) for 1 week. Rats were gavaged with a single dose of either 0.125 mg AFB1 or 25 mg FB1/kg b.w. and a combination thereof in the presence and absence of an aqueous solution of UPSN. The kinetics of mycotoxin excretion were monitored by analyzing serum AFB1-albumin, urinary AF (AFM1), and FB1 biomarkers over a period of 72 hr. UPSN decreased AFM1 excretion by 88-97%, indicating highly effective binding. FB1 excretion was reduced, to a lesser extent, ranging between 45 to 85%. When in combination, both AFB1 and FB1 binding occurred, but capacity was decreased by almost half. In the absence of UPSN, the combined AFB1 and FB1 treatment decreased the urinary biomarkers by 67 and 45% respectively, but increased levels of AFB1-albumin, presumably by modulating its cytochrome metabolism. UPSN significantly reduced bioavailability of both AFB1 and FB1 when in combination; suggesting that it can be utilized to reduce levels below their respective thresholds for affecting adverse biological effects.

Potential Applications of Clay-Based Therapy for the Reduction of Pesticide Exposures in Humans and Animals

“…Importantly, these results suggest that lead should not be significantly bioavailable from this clay following ingestion by humans and animals. This conclusion is further supported by our earlier animal and human intervention studies, that showed no significant increase in serum lead levels following ingestion of CM clay as high as 2.0% in the diet [47].…”

“…The hydra assay showed the increased binding ability of APMs compared to parent montmorillonites and established the safety of APMs at inclusion levels as high as 2% w/v. It is possible that APMs at higher inclusion will result in more significant protection against toxicity based on previous dosimetry studies [47,49,50]. Importantly, we have used this organism to select optimal sorbents for food-borne and environmental toxicants, prior to safety and efficacy studies in animals and humans.…”

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modulates gastrointestinal absorption, excretion patterns, and toxicity in Holstein calves fed a single dose of aflatoxin B1

“…The purified AFB 1 adducts were eluted with 2% formic acid in methanol, dried in a CentriVap concentrator (Labconco Corp., Kansas City, MO), and reconstituted for HPLC fluorescence detection. Adduct concentrations were adjusted to total plasma albumin content to account for variations in volume (Sabbioni et al, 1990;Qian et al, 2013;Mitchell et al, 2014).…”

Effects of bentonite Bgp35b‐p on the gut microbiota of mice fed a high‐fat diet

“…In spite of these abilities, which imply putative roles in the intestinal microenvironment, studies have been rarely conducted for the effects of bentonite on intestinal microorganisms. The preventive effects of bentonite against various health problems, such as hepatocarcinoma and renal disease through absorption and excretion of mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and uric acid, have been demonstrated in previous studies. Recently, the anti‐obesity effects of bentonite were examined by Xu et al .…”