Effect of aflatoxin B1 exposure on the progression of depressive-like behavior in rats

Abstract

While it is well documented that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1); one of the most toxic food contaminants is linked to the development of depression. However, the mechanism on how it affects the gut and brain health leading to depressive-like behavior remains unclear. This study was conducted to determine the effect of AFB1 on the progression of depressive-like behavior. Thirty-two (n = 32) male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups: control, low-dose (5 μg AFB1/kg), high-dose (25 μg AFB1/kg) and positive control group; exposed on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After 4 weeks of exposure, sucrose preference test (SPT) and force swim test (FST) were used to measure behavioral despair. Fecal samples were selectively cultured to profile the bacteria. Body weight and relative organs weights were compared among groups. AFB1 and CUMS caused reduction in body weight and food intake as well as increased relative weight of adrenal glands, liver, and brain. Rats in AFB1 and CUMS groups had suppressed sucrose preference and prolonged immobility time in FST, wherein this could indicate anhedonia. Besides, fecal count of Lactobacillus spp. was significantly low following AFB1 exposure, with increasing count of Bifidobacterium spp, in comparison to the control. Indeed, further biochemical analysis and metagenomic approach are warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms on the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis and dysregulation of gut-brain axis due to AFB1 neurotoxicity on the progression of depressive-like behavior.

Camel milk or silymarin could improve the negative effects that experimentally produced by aflatoxin B1 on rat’s male reproductive system

“…The fact that AFB1 slowed the growth of the rats may be mostly due to these reports. Depression of appetite may be to blame for the drop in body weight [ 38 ]. Aflatoxins were also noted to reduce the formation of volatile fatty acids (VFA), proteolysis, and gastrointestinal tract motility [ 39 ].…”

Rice Germ Attenuates Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Muscle Atrophy

“…Increased adrenal weight in stressed animals suggests the hyperactivation of the HPA axis [ 52 ]. In CUMS animals, the adrenal gland weight increases [ 56 ]. Similar to previous studies, our results showed that the adrenal gland weight of the CUMS/saline group was higher than that of the non-CUMS group.…”

Aflatoxins in food: Prevalence, health effects, and emerging trends in its mitigation—An updated review

“…Chronic exposure (15-75 ng/mL to 6-h post fertilization embryo and 7 days post fertilization larvae) to AFB 1 has also been found associated with the motor dysfunction in zebra fish embryos leading to developmental defects and musculoskeletal issues (He et al, 2023;Wu et al, 2019). Subramaniam et al (2022) studied the effect of 4 weeks of chronic exposure of a low dose of 5 mg/kg and a high dose of 25 mg/kg of AFB 1 on the progression of depressive-like behavior in rats. They hypothesized AFB 1 can induce this type of behavior through disruption of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenocortical axis due to generation of oxidative stress in the brain.…”

“…Subramaniam et al. (2022) studied the effect of 4 weeks of chronic exposure of a low dose of 5 mg/kg and a high dose of 25 mg/kg of AFB 1 on the progression of depressive‐like behavior in rats. They hypothesized AFB 1 can induce this type of behavior through disruption of the Hypothalamus–Pituitary–Adrenocortical axis due to generation of oxidative stress in the brain.…”