Porcine Hepatic Response to Fumonisin B1 in a Short Exposure Period: Fatty Acid Profile and Clinical Investigations

Abstract

Scarce studies have investigated the impact of fumonisin B1 (FB1) on the hepatic tissue fatty acid (FA) profile, and no study is available on piglets. A 10-day in vivo experiment was performed on seven piglets/group: control and FB1-fed animals (diet was contaminated with fungal culture: 20 mg FB1/kg diet). Independent sample t-test was carried out at p < 0.05 as the significance level. Neither growth, nor feed efficiency, was affected. The hepatic phospholipid (PL) fatty acids (FAs) were more susceptible for FB1, while triglyceride (TG) was less responsive. The impact of FB1 on hepatic PL polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was more pronounced than on saturated fatty acids. Among all PUFAs, predominant ones in response were docosapentaenoicacid (DPA) (↓), docosahexaenoic DHA (↓) and arachidonic acids (↑). This led to a higher omega-6:omega-3 ratio, whereas a similar finding was noted in TGs. Neither total saturation (SFA) nor total monousaturation (MUFA) were affected by the FB1 administration. The liver showed an increase in malondialdehyde, as well as antioxidant capacity (reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase). The plasma enzymatic assessment revealed an increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), while alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) were not influenced. The microscopic sections provided evidence of vacuolar degeneration of the hepatocytes’ cytoplasm, but it was not severe. Furthermore, the lung edema was developed, while the kidney was not affected. In conclusion, regarding FB1-mediated hepatotoxicity in piglets, the potential effect of slight hepatotoxicity did not compromise growth performance, at least at the dose and exposure period applied.

Orally Administered Fumonisins Affect Porcine Red Cell Membrane Sodium Pump Activity and Lipid Profile without Apparent Oxidative Damage

“…In contrast, in an approximation of the limit values [12], histological symptoms in intestine and myocardium appeared at 3.7 mg FBs/kg and in the kidney at a higher dose (8.1 mg/kg feed), while at the highest feed dose (12.2 mg FBs/kg) all investigated organs showed histological modifications, primarily lesions. In the above study [12], 12.2 mg/kg diet did not lead to growth differences, nor the 20 mg FB 1 /kg for 10 days could alter the performance, body weight and feed intake in another test [13]. Since our present study strongly exceeded the cited mycotoxin concentrations [12] and exposure period [13], we assumed that increased growth of the mostly intoxicated animals was attributable to some extent of slight edema [13], although absolute lung weight was not altered statistically.…”

“…The FBs administration level was relatively high in this study, being definitely above the limit values for pigs [12]. The study planning aimed to reach or approach an intoxication status/niveau that is not mild, primarily to affect the cellular composition of the already circulating, ripe red cells [9,13] and to test possible mediator effect of plausible oxidative stress. Though the initial BW was equal in all groups, the highest fumonisin dose increased it, as compared to the control.…”

A 65-Day Fumonisin B Exposure at High Dietary Levels Has Negligible Effects on the Testicular and Spermatological Parameters of Adult Rabbit Bucks

“…Such a direct oxidative effect of fumonisins has not yet been reported, but heat stress in rabbits has been found to act similarly [ 27 ]. According to Aydilek et al [ 28 ], the overall improvement of rabbit antioxidant capacity (e.g., by vitamin E feeding) is accompanied by increased testicular GSH level, and in a more wide context, this effect was shown in case of fumonisin intoxication in porcine liver (20 mg FB 1 /kg diet for 10 days) [ 29 ], and at a lower fumonisin level (10 mg/kg dietary FB 1 for 4 weeks) the opposite was found in the liver of rabbits [ 18 ]. Directly relevant mammalian comparison for fumonisin intoxication is unavailable, but at a high and even low dietary FB 1 dose (600 and 10 mg/kg diet) chicks and broilers provide hepatic oxidative stress [ 30 ].…”

Mycotoxin Exposure and Related Diseases

“…In addition to the human studies, several papers examine the role of mycotoxins in the establishment and/or development of different health effects in animals [21][22][23][24]. Interference of mycotoxins exposure in the gut microbiome and immunity are evaluated in gilts, turkeys, and rats [22][23][24].…”

“…In rats, and also focusing on the effects of AFB1, the findings suggest that AFB1 can alter the gut microbiota composition and that Lactobacillus casei Shirota can reduce the AFB1-induced dissimilarities in the gut microbiota profile [24]. Hepatoxicity associated with the exposure of piglets to fumonisin B1 (FB1) is also studied [21]. Results show that histology, cellular enzyme leakage, and hepatocellular membrane lipid fatty acid profile are affected after an exposure of 10 days to FB1.…”