Comparative impacts of Saudi Arabian and Egyptian Aspergillus flavus-associated Aflatoxin B1 on rats
Authors:   ,  6 , 1,2, 1,2, 7 , 7 , 7 ,7 , 1,2,  1,2,8 and, Ashi H , Hamed EH , Refaat B , Almughamsi HM , Neyaz LA , Alahmadi TFH , Arafa SH , Alami OT , Al-Rahmani F , Alqurashi EH , Alsulami FS , Alzahrani YA , Alamri AA , Abduljawad GH , Alobaidi AA , Malak HA , Elbanna K , Abulreesh HH 
Published: December 2024

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a carcinogenic secondary metabolite of filamentous Aspergillus
species. This study investigated the effects of Saudi Arabian (local) and Egyptian (imported)
Aspergillus flavus-associated AFB1 on rats (hematological parameters, liver, and kidneys). Saudi
Arabian and Egyptian A. flavus-associated AFB1 (0.5 mg/kg) were separately fed to two groups of
five rats each for 21 days. The control group (5 rats) was fed water and a basal pellet diet for 21
days (a total of 15 rats, 5 rats in each treated group and 5 rats as control). The blood samples from
the rats in all the groups were subsequently examined for complete blood count (CBC) data [red
blood cell (RBC), neutrophil, and platelet counts; basophil counts; eosinophil, hemoglobin (Hb)
content; monocyte, lymphocyte, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) counts; mean
corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); and white
blood cell (WBC)]. Liver function was assessed by examining the serum levels of alkaline
phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and albumin in all groups. The kidney
function test was based on the levels of uric acid, urea, creatinine, and urea. AFB1-induced
histopathological changes were observed under a light microscope. One-way ANOVA coupled
with Tukey’s LSD test revealed that AFB1 in both isolates (Saudi Arabian and Egyptian)
significantly decreased the RBC count, whereas a significant increase in the platelet, WBC,
neutrophil, and monocyte counts was noted. Compared with the control treatment, Saudi Arabian
AFB1 treatment significantly reduced the MCH and MCHC values. The serum levels of AST,
ALP, urea, and creatinine were significantly greater in the Saudi Arabian AFB1-treated group than
in the other two groups, whereas the level of ALB was significantly lower in this group than in the
Current Research in Environmental & Applied Mycology (Journal of Fungal Biology)
14(1): 356–370 (2024) ISSN 2229-2225
www.creamjournal.org Article
Doi 10.5943/cream/14/1/18
357
Egyptian AFB1-treated group and controls. Histological examination of the liver revealed central
vein dilatation and congestion of the portal area with leucocyte infiltration in both AFB1-treated
groups, which led to substantial cell mortality. Both AFB1 treatments caused hypertrophied
hepatocytes with pyknotic nuclei and granular vacuolated cytoplasm. The AFB1-treated groups
presented marked renal damage characterized by cupping of Bowman's capsule, glomerular
membrane disruption, and tubular damage. However, adverse effects were more severe in the Saudi
Arabian AFB1-treated group. Both AFB1 treatments induced hematological and organ toxicity in
rats. However, the toxicity of Saudi Arabian A. flavus-associated AFB1 was more pronounced than
that of Egyptian A. flavus-associated AFB1. The findings of the current study may help improve
hygiene measures to lower mycotoxin contamination in commercial food products, as well as
emphasise the health hazards posed by A. flavus-contaminated household foodstuffs.