Induction of apoptosis by aflatoxicosis and its modulation by ascorbic acid and sequential biochemical and histopathological changes in albino rats

ABSTRACT

Based on the DNA fragmentation profile in gel electrophoresis and histopathological and biochemical changes induced by acute toxicity of aflatoxin B1 [AFB1], this study aimed to clarify the protective effect of ascorbic acid [A.A.] on aflatoxicosis in albino rats. Forty rats were used in this work and divided into four groups, ten in each one. The 1st group was served as reference group [R-gr] where the rats in this group feed on basal diet only, rats of the 2nd group were given daily dose of ascorbic acid [A.A.] 300 mg/kg I.P. for three weeks, rats of the 3rd group were given single dose of AFB1 [1 mg/kg] I.P. after pretreated with daily dose of A.A. 300 mg/kg I.P, while rats of the last group were given single dose of AFB1 [1 mg/kg] I.P. after pretreated with daily dose of A.A. 300 mg/kg I.P. for three weeks. The results showed that acute aflatoxicosis induced DNA fragmentation pattern [DNA ladder] i.e. induced apoptosis, while no DNA fragmentation profiles were detected in the other three groups. The results also showed that AFB1 has a hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects as shown from the histopathological evaluation of liver and kidney and from the biochemical results very highly significant increase in serum levels of AST, ALT and ALP and the highly significant increase in serum creatinine and BUN levels