Determination of aflatoxin B1 biomarkers and applicability for the evaluation of adsorbent\'s efficacy in pigs

Author(s)

Mayra Carraro Di Gregorio

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Pirassununga.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Zootecnica e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZE/BT)
• Defense date: 2016-06-24

Examining board members

Carlos Augusto Fernandes de Oliveira; Ricardo de Albuquerque; Carlos Humberto Corassin; Leandra Naíra Zambelli Ramalho

• Advisor: Carlos Augusto Fernandes de Oliveira

Abstract

Exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) occurs primarily through ingestion of contaminated food. AFB1 is biotransformed by liver enzymes leading to the formation of adducts AFB1-N7-guanine and AFB1-lysine (AFB1-lys), among other compounds which may remain as residue in the liver, such as Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxicol (AFL). The products of AFB1 biotransformation can be used as exposure biomarkers to aflatoxins through diets. This study aims to verify the applicability of the determination of AFB1 biomarkers in the evaluation of adsorbents efficiency in swine. Twenty four barrows with 28 days of age were used. After 21 days of adaptation they were divided into 4 experimental treatments in a factorial 2 x 2, corresponding to two AFB1 incorporation levels to feed (0 to 1.1 mg / kg) and incorporating two levels (0 and 0.5%) of sodium calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (HSCAS) for 42 days. Performance parameters were weekly analyzed, as well the biochemical and hematological, and AFB1-Lys dosage. Urine samples were collected daily in the first ten days of intoxication to assess biotransformation products of AFB1, including AFB1-N7-guanine. After this period, the collection of urine samples occurs weekly. At the end of the experiment, serum, heparinized and EDTA plasma samples were collected for AFB1-Lys evaluation, and the animals were slaughtered to evaluate carcass and collection agencies to assess the relative weight, histopathology and residue analysis. The HSCAS was effective in in vitro adsorption of AFB1 binding percentages that ranged from 36.83 to 100% for the adsorbent concentrations between 0.005 and 10 mg/10 ml. Adding HSCAS restored significantly (P<0.05) the deleterious effects on the majority of the parameters evaluated. In liver, levels of AFB1, AFB2 and AFG1 were lower (P<0.05) in the treatment AFB1 and HSCAS, indicating that there was protection of the adsorbent in the animals of this group. In urine, AFM1 consisted of ~ 93% of total aflatoxins excreted and quantified. The inclusion of adsorbent in diets reduced (P<0.05) urinary levels of AFB1, AFQ1 and AFB1-N7-guanine throughout the experiment. In AFM1 levels decreased significantly between days 1 and 28 of poisoning. Compared with the results obtained in serum or heparinized plasma, AFB1-Lys levels were strongly suppressed in the samples with EDTA interference due to this compound in the enzyme digestion process. Weekly serum levels of AFB1-Lys in animals treated with AFB1 and HSCAS were lower (P<0.05) than animals treated with AFB1 alone during all the poisoning period. The data indicate that the urinary levels of AFB1, AFM1, AFQ1 and AFB1-N7-guanine and serum AFB1-Lys can be used as biomarkers of exposure to aflatoxins in pigs. Furthermore, the determinations of AFB1 and AFB1-N7-guanine urinary and serum AFB1-Lys can be used to evaluate the protective ability of the adsorbent as internal dose biomarkers, being able to demonstrate the severity of toxicity in each animal. Further studies are necessary to provide physiologically based toxicokinetics of the evaluated biomarkers in pigs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/12705-6 - Determination of aflatoxin B1 biomarkers and its applicability for evaluation of adsorbents efficiency in pigs
• Grantee: Mayra Carraro Di Gregorio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)