Intermittent Exposure to Aflatoxin B₁ Did Not Affect Neurobehavioral Parameters and Biochemical Markers of Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most common toxic mycotoxin that contaminates food. The treatment of its intoxication and the management of contaminations are a constant subject of health agendas worldwide. However, such efforts are not always enough to avoid population intoxication. Our objective was to investigate whether intermittent exposure to AFB1 would cause any impairment in biochemical and behavioral parameters, intending to simulate an irregular consumption. Male Wistar rats received four AFB1 administrations (250 μg/kg) by intragastric route separated by a 96-h interval. Toxicity was evaluated using behavioral tests (open field, object recognition, nest construction, marble burying, and splash test), biochemical markers of oxidative stress (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, liver, and kidneys), and plasma parameters of hepatic and renal functions. The intermittent exposure caused no modification in body weight gain as well as in organ weight. Both control and AFB1 groups presented similar profiles of behavior to all tests performed. Furthermore, AFB1 administrations alter neither antioxidant defenses nor markers of oxidation in all assayed tissues and in the plasma markers of hepatic and renal functions. Therefore, AFB1 intermittent administration did not cause its common damage from exposure to this toxicant, which must be avoided, and additional studies are required.

Keywords

• aflatoxin B₁
• intermittent exposure
• oxidative stress
• behavior
• irregular consumption