ABSTRACT
One of the most important effects of unconditional storage of food and foodstuff is intoxication caused by mycotoxins. Among mycotoxins, aflatoxin B[1] [AFB[1]] which is the most harmful one. In this work, we studied the AFB[1] induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity and using of garlic and vitamin C to ameliorate the AFB[1]-induced damage. This study was conducted for 12 weeks on 192 adult albino rats of both sexes, divided into 8 groups, each consisted of 24 rats: group 1 [-ve control group], group II [+ve control group], group III [+ve control group], group IV [garlic group], group V [vitamin C group], group VI [AFB[1] group], group VII [aflatoxin B[1]+garlic] and Group IV [aflatoxin B[1]+ vitamin C]. The first 3 groups were used as control groups and the [-ve] control group "I" used to be compared with other treated groups. After 6 and 12 weeks, 6 rats from each group were anesthetized and blood samples were collected to assess serum aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and serum malondialdehyde, [MDA] levels. Then the rats were sacrificed and liver specimens were obtained to assess the histopathological and immunohistpathological changes using light microscope. After that another 6 rats from each group were used for studying the chromosomal pattern of their bone marrow cells. The results revealed significant histopathological changes in AFB[1] group [VI] when compared with control group [1]. These changes were in form of loss of hepatic architecture, congested central vein, vacuolated cytoplasm, degeneration and necrosis, immunohistopathological changes in form of decreased in the Bcl[2] expression and chromosomal abnormalities in form of chromosomal gaps, breaks, deletions, ring chromosomes, hypoploidy and hyperploidy. These harmful effects were reduced in rats treated by dried garlic powder and vitamin C. It was conlude that AFB[1] caused hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity. Both garlic and vitamin C have significant improvement effects on AFB[1]-induced hepatoxicity and genotoxicity. Effectiveness of vitamin C is better than garlic in protection of liver and bone marrow cells