Research progress in toxicological effects and mechanism of aflatoxin B₁ toxin

Abstract

Fungal contamination of animal feed can severely affect the health of farm animals, and result in considerable economic losses. Certain filamentous fungi or molds produce toxic secondary metabolites known as mycotoxins, of which aflatoxins (AFTs) are considered the most critical dietary risk factor for both humans and animals. AFTs are ubiquitous in the environment, soil, and food crops, and aflatoxin B1(AFB1) has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most potent natural group 1A carcinogen. We reviewed the literature on the toxic effects of AFB1 in humans and animals along with its toxicokinetic properties. The damage induced by AFB1 in cells and tissues is mainly achieved through cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell proliferation, and the induction of apoptosis, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy. In addition, numerous coding genes and non-coding RNAs have been identified that regulate AFB1 toxicity. This review is a summary of the current research on the complexity of AFB1 toxicity, and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms as well as the phenotypic characteristics.

Current Research Trends in the Application of In Vitro Three-Dimensional Models of Liver Cells

“…For example, the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole, a known activator of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), induced CYP1A2 activity in the spheroid, resulting in the increased metabolic activation and hepatotoxicity of dacarbazine, a CYP1A2 substrate [ 126 ]. In addition, it was able to identify genetic variants specific to various types of toxicity mechanisms by using spheroids, including amiodarone for mitochondrial toxicity, chlorpromazine for bile stagnation, and aflatoxin B1 for genetic toxicity [ 127 ].…”

Elucidating the combined toxicity of aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 on HepG2 cells based on respirometry and transcriptome analyses

“…The in vitro hepatotoxicity of AFB1 and FB1 has been reported in many studies using the HepG2 cells as the preferred liver model (Abdul and Chuturgoon 2021; Chen et al 2022; Singto et al 2020). Oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction by targeting ROS, DNA, p53, and other signaling pathways have been documented as toxic mechanism of AFB1 (Li et al 2022). Similarly, FB1 induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting sphingolipids biosynthesis and triggering massive production of ROS have been also reported (Sheik Abdul and Marnewick 2020).…”

Astaxanthin Alleviates Aflatoxin B1-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in IPEC-J2 Cells via the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

“…Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites that are produced by Aspergillus parasiticus or Aspergillus flavus , these fungi can contaminate crops during growth, transport, storage, and processing, making them susceptible to aflatoxins, which are also commonly found in edible tissues such as meat, eggs, and milk; aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most poisonous and adverse of the aflatoxins [ 1 , 2 ]. Livestock species vary in their susceptibility to AFB1, with pigs being particularly sensitive to its effects [ 3 ]. The liver is AFB1’s primary target organ.…”