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Fusarium mycotoxins are nature environmental contaminants worldwide in animal feed and human food resulting in a serious health risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential role of organo-modified nano-montmorillonite (OMNM) against the health risk and the oxidative stress resulted from the exposure of fumonisin (FB 1 ) and zearalenone (ZEN) individually and in combination in rats. Eight groups of female Sprague Dawley rats were treated orally for 3 weeks including the control group, FB 1 alone-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w.), ZEN alone-treated group (40 μg/kg b.w), FB 1 plus ZEN-treated group, the group fed basal diet supplemented with OMNM (5 g/kg diet), and the groups fed basal diet supplemented with OMNM and treated with FB 1 and/or ZEN. At the end of the experimental period, samples of blood and tissues were collected for different biochemical and histological analyses. The results revealed that administration of FB 1 and/or ZEN resulted in significant disturbances in the biochemical parameters tested, lipid profiles, serum cytokines, oxidative stress indices, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the histological status of the liver and kidney. Co-administration of both mycotoxins indicated a synergistic effect. OMNM alone was safe and succeeded to reduce and/or prevent most of the toxicity of both mycotoxins. It could be concluded that OMNM is a novel and promising nanograde adsorbent suitable for the protection against the combined exposure to FB 1 and ZEN.

The occurrences of mycotoxins as food contaminants in different localities particularly in developing countries and the inevitable exposure of populations and children to these toxins with probable adverse outcomes need be scientifically and systematically assessed. Health risk assessment developed in the 1980s is separate from risk management, both with risk communication form the risk analysis framework adopted by the World Health Organization. The process contributes increasingly to policy development, public health decision making, the establishment of mycotoxin regulations and research planning. However, the exercise of the risk assessment structured approach is not simple and is faced up to lack of data, capable infrastructure facilities and need for trained personnel and resources. Furthermore, adopted methodologies need be developed focusing on child characteristics and health concerns.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin often found in cereals and agricultural products. There is unequivocal evidence of renal carcinogenicity of OTA in male rats, although the mechanism of action is unknown. Several reports suggest that exposure to OTA resulted in oxidative stress, genotoxicity and DNA damage. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous extract of Inula crithmoides growing in Egypt against OTA-induced mutagenicity and oxidative stress. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and treated for 15 days as follows: control group and the groups treated with OTA (3 mg/kg b.w), I. crithmoides extract alone (370 mg/kg b.w) and OTA+I. crithmoides extract. Blood and tissue samples were collected for different biochemical analyses. Bone marrow micronucleus test and blood for random amplified polymorphism DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR) method were performed to assess the antigenotoxic effect of the extract. The results indicated that OTA induced toxicological effects typical to those reported in the literature and increased the frequencies of MnPCEs in bone marrow. The RAPD-PCR analysis revealed the appearance of new bands in DNA resulting from genetic alteration. The extract alone was safe and succeeded in counteracting the oxidative stress and protect against the cytotoxicity resulting from OTA.

Sterigmatocystin (Stg) is closely related to the mycotoxin aflatoxin as a precursor in aflatoxin biosynthesis and classified as an IARC Group-2B carcinogen. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Egyptian montmorillonite (EM), a clay mineral, to adsorb Stg, to test the stability of the resulting complex under different conditions in vitro, and to utilize the Nile tilapia fish as an in vivo model to evaluate the protective effect of EM against Stg-induced toxicity and clastogenicity. In the in vitro study, four concentrations of EM (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/L aqueous solution) and three concentrations of Stg (5, 10 and 50 microg/ml) were tested. The results show that EM had a high capacity of adsorbing Stg at different concentrations tested. The adsorption ranged from 93.1 to 97.8% of the available Stg in aqueous solutions. The complex was stable at different pHs at 37 degrees C in different organic solvents. An in vivo experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of EM to prevent the toxicity and chromosomal aberrations induced by Stg in the Nile tilapia fish. Fish received an intragastric dose of EM in corn oil (0.5 mg/kg bw) with or without Stg (1.6 microg/kg bw) twice a week for 4 weeks. Body weight was recorded during dosing, and blood and tissue samples were collected at the end of treatment. Stg residues were determined in fish tissue. The results show that Stg was toxic and clastogenic to fish as indicated by the significant decrease of body weight and the increase in frequencies of micronucleated red blood cells (MN RBC) and chromosomal aberrations in the kidney. The intragastric administration of EM combined with Stg to fish resulted in a reduction of the number of MN RBC and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the kidney compared with the group treated with Stg alone. It could be concluded that EM itself was safe and successful in the prevention of Stg toxicity and clastogenicity.

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread contaminant in human and animal food products. It induces a wide range of toxic effects including lipid peroxidation through the generation of free radicals. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of melatonin against OTA-induced oxidative stress in liver and kidney in rats. Treated animals were fed OTA-contaminated diet (3 mg/kg) for 15 days before, during and after melatonin administration (20 mg/kg bw). The results indicate that OTA caused severe effects typical to those reported in the literature for ochratoxicosis. Melatonin alone was effective in the improving food intake, body weight gain, serum total protein, albumin, the activities of alkaline phosphatase, G-glutamyl transferase and creatinine kinase and liver and kidney glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde. Rats fed OTA-contaminated diet before, during or after melatonin administration showed a significant improvement in all tested parameters toward the normal values of the controls. This improvement was most pronounced in the group pretreated with melatonin. It is concluded that melatonin exhibits a preventive effect against OTA-induced oxidative stress through its role in the scavenging of free radicals and/or the prevention of lipid peroxidation.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are fungal metabolites that frequently co-occur in foodstuffs and are responsible for mycotoxicosis and several primary cancers. Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) has a spacious range of benefit effects but also has some limitations owing to its strong taste or its interaction with some drugs. This study aimed to use the cinnamon oil emulsion droplets (COED) for the protection against oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rats sub-chronically exposed to FB1 and/or AFB1. The composition of CEO was identified using GC-MS then was encapsulated using whey protein as wall material. Male rats were divided into eight groups and treated orally for 8 weeks as follows: control group, AFB1-trreated group (80 μg/kg b.w), FB1-treated group (100 mg/kg b.w), FB1 plus AFB1-treated group, and the groups treated with COED plus FB1 and/or AFB1. Blood and samples of the kidney, liver, and testis were collected for different analysis and histopathological examination. The GC-MS analysis revealed that cinnamaldehyde, α-copaene, trans-cinnamaldehyde, caryophyllene, and delta-cadinene were the main compounds in COE. The average size of COED was 235 ± 1.4 nm and the zeta potential was − 6.24 ± 0.56. Treatment with FB1 and/or AFB1 induced significant disturbances in the serum biochemical analysis, oxidative stress parameters, DNA fragmentation, gene expression, and testosterone and severe pathological changes in the tested organs. Moreover, treatment with both mycotoxins induced synergistic toxic effects. COED did not induce toxic effects and could normalize the majority of the tested parameters and improve the histological picture in rats treated with FB1 and/or AFB1. It could be concluded that COED induce potential protective effects against the single or combined exposure to FB1 and AFB1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium mycotoxins are nature environmental contaminants worldwide in animal feed and human food resulting in a serious health risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential role of organo-modified nano-montmorillonite (OMNM) against the health risk and the oxidative stress resulted from the exposure of fumonisin (FB) and zearalenone (ZEN) individually and in combination in rats. Eight groups of female Sprague Dawley rats were treated orally for 3 weeks including the control group, FB alone-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w.), ZEN alone-treated group (40 μg/kg b.w), FB plus ZEN-treated group, the group fed basal diet supplemented with OMNM (5 g/kg diet), and the groups fed basal diet supplemented with OMNM and treated with FB and/or ZEN. At the end of the experimental period, samples of blood and tissues were collected for different biochemical and histological analyses. The results revealed that administration of FB and/or ZEN resulted in significant disturbances in the biochemical parameters tested, lipid profiles, serum cytokines, oxidative stress indices, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the histological status of the liver and kidney. Co-administration of both mycotoxins indicated a synergistic effect. OMNM alone was safe and succeeded to reduce and/or prevent most of the toxicity of both mycotoxins. It could be concluded that OMNM is a novel and promising nanograde adsorbent suitable for the protection against the combined exposure to FB and ZEN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of chitosan nanoparticles (COS-NPs) singly or plus quercetin (Q) against OTA-induced oxidative stress and renal genotoxicity. Twelve groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally for 3 weeks included the control group, animals fed OTA-contaminated diet (3 mg/kg diet); COS-NPs-treated groups at low (140 mg/kg b.w.) or high (280 mg/kg b.w.) dose, Q-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w.), Q plus low or high dose of COS-NPs-treated groups and OTA plus Q and/or COS-NPs at the two tested doses-treated groups. The results indicated that COS-NPs were roughly rod in shape with average particle size of 200 nm and zeta potential 31.4 ± 2.8 mV. Animals fed OTA-contaminated diet showed significant changes in serum biochemical parameters, increase kidney MDA and DNA fragmentation and decreased GPx and SOD gene expression accompanied with severe histological changes. Q and/or COS-NPs at the two tested doses induced significant improvements in all tested parameters and succeeded to overcome these effects especially in the animals treated with Q plus the high dose of COS-NPs. It could be concluded that COS-NPs are promise candidate to enhance the antioxidant effect of Q and protect against the nephrotoxicity of OTA in high endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to prepare and characterize activated carbon (AC) and to evaluate its protective effect against deoxynivalenol (DON) toxicity in rats compared to Egyptian montmorillonite (EM). AC was prepared using a single-step chemical activation with phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ). The resulted AC has a high surface area and a high total pore volume. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 10) and treated for 3 weeks as follow: the control group, the groups fed AC or EM-supplemented diet (0.5% w/w), the group treated orally with DON (5 mg/kg b.w.) and the groups fed AC or EM-supplemented diet and treated with DON. Blood and liver samples were collected for different analyses. Treatment with DON increased liver function enzymes, lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor α, DNA fragmentation, decreased hepatic glutathione content, up regulating mRNA Fas and TNF-α genes expression and increased micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and normochromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow. Co-treatment of DON plus AC or EM succeeded to normalize the levels of the biochemical parameters, reduced the cytotoxicity of bone marrow and ameliorated the hepatic genotoxicity. Moreover, AC was more effective than EM and has a high affinity to adsorb DON and to reduce its cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spirulina (SPN) and Whey protein (WPC) are being touted as functional foods with a number of health benefits. SPN is blue green algae while WPC is a protein complex derived from milk and both have strong antioxidant activity and provoke a free radical scavenging enzyme system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potentials of SPN and WPC to regulate the alteration of genes'' expression and counteract oxidative stress in rats during aflatoxecosis. Eighty male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into eight groups, which included the control group, the group fed with aflatoxins (AFs)-contaminated diet (2.5mg/kg diet) for 30 day, the group treated orally with WPC (300mg/kg b.w.), the group treated orally with SPN (50mg/kg b.w), the group treated orally with WPC plus SPN and the groups fed with AFs-contaminated diet and treated orally with WPC, SPN and/or WPC. Oxidative stress markers and gene expression were assayed in liver and testis and the damage of DNA was evaluated by DNA fragmentation and micronucleus tests. The results demonstrated that supplementation of SPN and/or WPC reduced the oxidative stress induced by AFs as indicated by decreased lipid peroxidation level, increased glutathione content and up-regulated PHGPx gene expression. Both agents succeed to inhibit DNA damage as indicated by the down-regulation of Fas gene expression, and decreased the percentage of DNA fragmentation and micronucleated erythrocytes. Moreover, WPC was found to be effective than SPN and the combined treatment was more effective than the single treatment. It could be concluded that both SPN and WPC induced a protective action and regulated the alteration of genes expression induced by AFs; however, the combined treatment may be useful than the single treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article examines the biological activity of radish extract and evaluates the protective role of radish extract against the toxicity of zearalenone (zen), a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin present in corn and food mixture for farm animals, in female Balb/c mice. It found that radish extract improved the antioxidant status and had no significant effects on hematological and biochemical parameters tested on histology of the liver and kidney. It suggested that radish extract is safe and can overcome or significantly diminish the zen effects.

In Egypt, there is a paucity of biomarker data on aflatoxin (AF) exposure. The study assessed the level and frequency of breast milk AFM 1 as a biomarker of maternal exposure. Breast milk samples were collected from a selected group of 388 Egyptian lactating mothers of children attending the New El-Qalyub Hospital, Qalyubiyah governorate, Egypt, during May–September 2003. Following aflatoxin extraction, AFM 1 levels were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Approximately 36% of mothers tested positive for AFM 1 (median 13.5  pg  ml -1 , interquartile range (IQR) 10.27–21.43). Non-working status ( p   =  0.018, odds ratio (OR)  =  2.87), obesity ( p   =  0.004, OR  =  3.01), high corn oil consumption ( p   =  0.002, OR  =  2.21), number of children (>1) ( p   =  0.025, OR  =  1.99), and early lactation stage ( [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin that induces severe health disturbances in humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds in Costus speciosus extract (CSE) using GC-MS and evaluate its protective capability against ZEN-induced oxidative damage, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity in rats. Six groups of male Sprague Dawley rats were treated orally for 15 days including the control group, CSE-treated groups at low (200 mg/kg b. w) or high (400 mg/kg b. w) dose, ZEN-treated group (40 μg/kg b. w), and the groups treated with ZEN plus the low or the high dose of CSE. Blood and tissue samples were collected for different assays and pathological analyses. The results of GC-MS indicated the identification of 6 compounds and Azulene was the major. Animals that received ZEN showed severe disturbances in serum biochemical, cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, mRNA expression of iNOS, Nrf2, and inflammatory-related genes. ZEN also increased micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) and comet tail formation in bone marrow cells along with the disturbances in the histological architecture of the liver and kidney. Co-administration of CSE plus ZEN could normalize the majority of the tested parameters and the histological picture at a dose as low as 200 mg/kg b. w. Therefore, CSE protects against ZEN toxicity via its antioxidant activity, modulation of iNOS, inflammatory-related genes, and the Nrf2 pathway and it could be used in the endemic regions. [Display omitted] • Zearalenone (ZEN) induced oxidative damage, disturbs inflammatory cytokine, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in rats. • Six bioactive compounds were isolated from Costus speciosus extract (CSE) and Azulene was the major compound. • CSE alleviated ZEN-induce oxidative damage in a dose-depended fashion and may be used in the area endemic with ZEN. • Costus speciosus extract modulates the cytokines, Nrf2 and iNOS mRNA gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium in cereals and agricultural products. It has been implicated in several mycotoxicosis in farm animals and in humans. There is unequivocal evidence of reproductive toxicity of ZEN in male mice although the mechanism of action is unknown. Several reports suggest that exposure to ZEN resulted in oxidative stress, genotoxicity and perturbation of reproductive parameters. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous extract of Raphanus sativus growing in Tunisia against ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress. Fifty male Balb/c mice were divided into five groups and treated for 28 days as follows: the control group, olive oil-treated groups, another treated with ZEN (40mg/kg b.w), the last one treated with R. sativus extract alone (15mg/kg b.w) and the other with ZEN+ R. sativus extract. Testis samples were collected for the epididymal sperm count, testosterone concentration, and MDA level, GPx, CAT and SOD activities. Blood samples were collected for different biochemical analyses. Also, RAPD–PCR method was performed to assess the antigenotoxic effect of the extract in germ cells. The results indicated that ZEN-induced toxicological effects in accordance to those reported in the literature: decreasing in the sperm number, testosterone level and antioxidant enzyme status. The RAPD–PCR analysis revealed an alteration in the DNA bands patterns between control and ZEN-treated mice. The extract alone, rich in many antioxidant compounds, was safe and succeeded in counteracting the oxidative stress and protect against the toxicity resulting from ZEN. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to assess the disturbances in intestinal genes expression and DNA fragmentation in mice treated orally with aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) or aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) and the protective activity of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP). Male Balb/c mice were divided into 6 groups including the control group, the group treated with 2 mg/kg b.w of LP (2 × 10 9  cfu/mL), the groups treated with AFB 1 or AFM 1 (100 μg/kg b.w), and the groups treated with AFB 1 or AFM 1 during, after or before LP. Small intestines were collected for the determination of DNA fragmentation, gene expression and target protein content. The results showed that AFB 1 or AFM 1 increased DNA fragmentation, down regulated the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-9, CYP3A13, Bax and p53 as well as up-regulated the expression of TNF-α and Bcl-2 and their target proteins. LP succeeded to alleviate the disturbances in DNA fragmentation and the expression of these genes. The improvement was more pronounced in the group co-administered with the toxins plus LP. It could be concluded that AFB 1 and AFM 1 induced disturbances in intestinal function via the disturbances in DNA fragmentation and genes expression. LP induced a potential protective effect and is considered a promising agent against the genotoxicity induced by these mycotoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been reported to remove mycotoxins from aqueous solutions through a binding process, which appears to be species and strain specific. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective role of Lactobacillus casei (L1) and Lactobacillus reuteri (L2) against aflatoxin (AFs)-induced oxidative stress in rats. Sixty female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups including the control group and the groups treated with L1 or L2 (1 × 1011/ml) alone at a dose of 10 ml/kg b.w or plus AFs (3 mg/kg diet) for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatments, blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histological studies. The results indicated that AFs alone induced a significant decrease in food intake and body weight and a significant increase in transaminase, alkaline phosphatase cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids, creatinine, uric acid and nitric oxide in serum and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney accompanied with a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity. Treatments with L1 or L2 succeeded to induce a significant improvement in all the biochemical parameters and histological picture of the liver. Moreover, L2 was more effective than L1 and both can be used safely in functional foods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The leafy parts of thyme and its essential oil have been used in foods for the flavor, aroma and preservation and also in folk medicines. The aim of the current study was to determine the components of Thymus vulgaris L essential oil and to evaluate the protective effects of this oil against aflatoxin-induce oxidative stress in rats. Thirty six mature male Sprague–Dawley were divided into six treatment groups and treated for 2 weeks as follows: control group; the groups treated orally with low and high doses of T. vulgaris oil (5 and 7.5 mg/kg b.w.); the group fed AFs-contaminated diet (2.5 mg/kg diet) and the groups fed AFs-contaminated diet and treated orally with the oil at the two tested doses. Blood and tissue samples were collected at the end of treatment period for biochemical study and histological examination. The results indicated that the oil contains Carvarcrol (45 mg/g), Thymol (24.7 mg/g), β-Phellandrene (9.7 mg/g), Linalool (4.1 mg/g), Humuline (3.1 mg/g), α-Phellandrene (2.3 mg/g) and Myrcene (2.1 mg/g). However, α and β-pinene, Myrcene, α-thyjone, Tricyclene, 1, 8-cineole, and β-sabinene were found in lower concentrations. Treatment with AFs alone disturbs lipid profile in serum, decreases Total antioxidant capacity, increase creatinine, uric acid and nitric oxide in serum and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney accompanied with a sever histological changes in the liver tissues. The oil alone at the two tested doses did not induce any significant changes in the biochemical parameters or the histological picture. The combined treatment showed significant improvements in all tested parameters and histological pictures in the liver tissues. Moreover, this improvement was more pronounced in the group received the high dose of the oil. It could be concluded that the essential oil of T. vulgaris has a potential antioxidant activity and a protective effect against AFs toxicity and this protection was dose dependent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Exposure to fumonisins (FB) is known to have toxic and carcinogenic effects in different animal species, and to express toxicity in cells via the induction of oxidative stress. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of the ethanol extract of Aquilegia vulgaris L. against the oxidative stress and the genotoxicity using micronucleus assay and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD-PCR) in FB-treated rats. Sixty mature female Sprague–Dawley were divided into six treatment groups and treated for 4 weeks as follow: the control group, the group fed FB-contaminated diet (200 mg/kg diet), the groups treated orally with the extract (5 and 10 mg/kg bw) and the groups fed FB-contaminated diet and treated with the extract at the two doses. The results showed that treatment with FB alone disturbed lipid profile in serum, increases Sa/So ratio, induces micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (Mn-PCEs) in bone marrow, increases DNA and RNA in liver accompanied with significant changes in histological picture The extract alone at the two tested doses did not induce any significant changes in the biochemical or histological picture. The combined treatment showed significant improvements in all biochemical, cytogenetic parameters tested and histological pictures in the liver tissues. Moreover, this improvement was more pronounced in the group received the high dose of the extract. It could be concluded that the ethanol extract of A. vulgaris induced its protective effect via the increase in the antioxidant capacity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and scavenging of free radicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aflatoxins are a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and thus understanding the pattern of aflatoxin exposure in different regions is important in order to develop targeted intervention strategies. Given the early onset of HCC in many countries early life exposures may be important. This study investigated aflatoxin exposure in Egyptian children (n =50, aged 1–2.5 years) by assessing urinary aflatoxin metabolite (AFM1, AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) levels. Samples from Guinean children (n =50, aged 2–4 years) were analyzed in parallel providing a comparison to a region of established frequent aflatoxin exposure. Aflatoxins were isolated from urine using C18-cartridges followed by immunoaffinity clean-up, and quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Overall aflatoxins were less frequently present in Egyptian (38%) than Guinean urine samples (86%) (p <0.001), which was particularly related to differences in detection rates of AFM1 (8% compared to 64%, respectively, (p <0.001)). For AFM1 the geometric mean level in Guinea (16.3pg/ml; 95% CI: 10.1, 26.6pg/ml) was 6-fold higher (p <0.001) than in Egypt (2.7pg/ml; 95% CI: 2.5, 2.8pg/ml). Urinary aflatoxins from healthy children in these two regions have not previously been reported, and exposure appears modest in Egypt compared to Guinea. These data suggest that measures to reduce aflatoxin exposure in both regions are important, though particularly in Guinea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fumonisins (FB) are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides, frequently associated with corn. It produces toxicity, including teratogenicity, equine leukoencephalomalacia, porcine pulmonary edema, hepatic or renal damage in most animal species and perturb sphingolipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of royal jelly (RJ) against FB toxicity. Sixty male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into six treatment groups including the control group; group fed FB-contaminated diet (200mg/kg diet) and the groups treated orally with RJ (100 or 150mg/kg body weight) with or without FB for 3 weeks. FB alone decreased body weight gain, feed intake, GPX and SOD. Whereas it increased in ALT, AST, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, createnine and uric acid levels. Animals received FB showed severe histological and histochemical changes in liver and kidney tissues. Cotreatment with FB plus RJ resulted in a significant improvement in all the tested parameters and the histological and histochemical pictures of the liver and kidney. These improvements were pronounced in animals fed FB-contaminated diet plus the high dose of RJ. It could be concluded that RJ have a protective effects against FB toxicity and this protection was dose dependent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Zearalenone (ZEN), a mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium spp., is most commonly found as a contaminant in stored grain and has chronic estrogenic effects on mammals. ZEN and its metabolites have anabolic activities and induced severe stress on liver, kidney and immune system. The aims of the current study were twofold: (1) to investigate the changes in serum biochemical, immunological parameters and histological picture of spleen in ZEN-treated Balb/c mice and (2) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HSCAS to ameliorate the deleterious effects of ZEN. The results indicated that a single dose of ZEN (40 mg/kg bw) significantly reduced total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, total count of WBCs, immunoglobulin profile (Ig A and Ig G) and T-cells subtypes (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD56+). Whereas, it significantly increased uric acid and urea and induced degenerative changes in the spleen tissues. Mice treated with HSCAS alone (400 mg/kg bw) were comparable to the control regarding all the tested parameters. While HSCAS at levels 600 and 800 mg/kg bw caused changes in some tested biochemical parameters. The combined treatment of ZEN and the lowest tested dose of HSCAS (400 mg/kg bw) showed a significant improvement of the immunological, biochemical and histological parameters. It could be concluded that HSCAS was effective in the protection against the hazards of ZEN at a dose as low as 400 mg/kg bw. These results supported our hypothesis that HSCAS tightly-bind and immobilized ZEN resulted in reduction of toxin bioavailability in animal''s gastrointestinal tract. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]