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Home / Equine Research Bank / Food Chem Toxicol / Hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity in rats of corn samples as...
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association1989; 27(2); 89-96; doi: 10.1016/0278-6915(89)90002-1

Hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity in rats of corn samples associated with field cases of equine leukoencephalomalacia.

Abstract: Currently there is no convenient bioassay to determine the potential toxicity of corn naturally contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme. A short-term bioassay would be useful for future investigations aimed at isolating as yet unidentified toxins produced by this fungus. Two groups of five male Sprague-Dawley rats were each fed one of two F. moniliforme contaminated corn samples, designated CS-1 and CS-2, that were associated with separate field cases of equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM). A control group, also consisting of five male rats, was fed uncontaminated seed corn. All animals survived to the end of the study and there were no apparent differences in appearance or behaviour among groups. Weight loss and irregular food consumption occurred in all groups and probably resulted from nutritional deficiencies inherent in the corn diets. Hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis and hyperplasia as well as biliary hyperplasia were found in the test groups only and were attributed to F. moniliforme. Serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities in animals fed CS-1 and CS-2 for 4 wk were significantly increased compared with the controls, while serum bilirubin concentration was increased only in the CS-1 group. Tubular nephrosis was also present in the renal cortex of all animals fed CS-1 and CS-2. These effects may have been related to fumonisins B1 and B2, recently discovered metabolites of F. moniliforme, that were found in both CS-1 and CS-2. Short-term studies of this type may be useful in screening naturally-contaminated grains and other materials for hepatotoxic metabolites produced by F. moniliforme.
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Publication Date: 1989-02-01 PubMed ID: 2714720DOI: 10.1016/0278-6915(89)90002-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research explored the potential toxicity in rats caused by consuming corn contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme, a type of fungus. The study found the fungus resulted in rats exhibiting symptoms of liver and kidney damage.

Investigative process

  • The research was conducted on two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats that were fed on two different Fusarium moniliforme contaminated corn samples named CS-1 and CS-2. A control group of rats was fed uncontaminated corn. The three groups were observed over the course of the study.
  • The rats’ appearances and behaviour were monitored and recorded throughout the study, although no significant changes were noted. The final health status of the animals was also observed with all animals surviving to the end of the study.
  • However, all groups exhibited weight loss and irregular food consumption, likely due to the nutritional deficiencies of the corn-based diets. This was observed across the test and control groups.

Identified toxicity symptoms

  • Fusarium moniliforme related negative health effects, such as hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis and hyperplasia, and biliary hyperplasia, were only seen within the test groups.
  • Rats consuming the contaminated corn showed significantly increased serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities compared to the control group. The CS-1 group also had heightened serum bilirubin concentration.
  • Tubular nephrosis was found in the renal cortex of the rats fed the contaminated corn, suggesting damage to the kidneys.

Implications and further inquiry

  • The identified effects on the rats may be attributable to fumonisins B1 and B2, metabolites of Fusarium moniliforme, that were detected in both contaminated corn samples.
  • This suggests that short-term studies like this one could be helpful for identifying hepatotoxic metabolites in naturally contaminated grains and assessing their potential health risks.

The research contributes valuable insights into the potential risks posed by Fusarium moniliforme, illuminating a clear need for further investigation and precaution in handling corn, grains and other susceptible food products.

Cite This Article

APA
Voss KA, Norred WP, Plattner RD, Bacon CW. (1989). Hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity in rats of corn samples associated with field cases of equine leukoencephalomalacia. Food Chem Toxicol, 27(2), 89-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-6915(89)90002-1

Publication

Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
ISSN: 0278-6915
NlmUniqueID: 8207483
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 2
Pages: 89-96

Researcher Affiliations

Voss, K A
  • Toxicology and Mycotoxins Research Unit, Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Athens, GA 30613.
Norred, W P
    Plattner, R D
      Bacon, C W

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Carcinogens, Environmental
        • Encephalomalacia / etiology
        • Encephalomalacia / veterinary
        • Food Contamination / analysis
        • Fumonisins
        • Fusarium / analysis
        • Fusarium / isolation & purification
        • Horse Diseases / etiology
        • Horses
        • Kidney Diseases / etiology
        • Kidney Diseases / pathology
        • Liver Diseases / etiology
        • Liver Diseases / pathology
        • Male
        • Mycotoxins / analysis
        • Mycotoxins / isolation & purification
        • Mycotoxins / toxicity
        • Rats
        • Rats, Inbred Strains
        • Zea mays / microbiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 23 times.
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