Modulatory effects of Origanum vulgare essential oil in a subchronic mycotoxicoses in rat by consumption of FB1. Biochemical parameters and histopathological studies on target organs.

LÓPEZ, AG; THEUMER, MG; CÁNEPA, MC; RUBINSTEIN, HR

Córdoba, Argentina

Congreso; Advances in research on toxicogenic fungi and mycotoxins in South America ensuring food and feed safety in a myco-globe context; 2006

Sixth framework programme

Objetives: To evaluate the possible modulatory action of Origanum vulgare essential oil (OEO) in the subchronic toxicity of FB1 in rats,  when both substances are present in the diet. Methods: Animals: Male Wistar rats (n=6 per groupe). FB1 was produced by Fusarium verticillioides MRC 826 in maize. The OEO was obtained by hydrodistillation from fresh leaves of O. vulgare (1). Separation and quantification of FB1 were done as previously described (2, 3). Rats were fed 90 days with the following experimental diets: mycotoxins-free (Control), with 100 ppm of FB1 (EDFB1), with 30 ppm of OEO (EDOEO), and with the mixture of FB1 (100 ppm) + OEO (30 ppm) (EDM). Blood samples and specimens of lung, liver, kidney and small intestine were obtained on the 90th day of feeding. Microscopic examination was carried out in hematoxylin and eosin stained tissues. The total cholesterol (Chol), triglycerides (TGs) and calcium (Ca) levels; and the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl-transpeptidaseferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymatic activities  were measured by using a Technicon RA-1000 autoanalyzer. Results: The kidneys, the small intestine and the liver were the most affected organs in the EDFB1 group; necrotic alterations in tubular epithelial cells, lymphocytic and histioocytic infiltrates were detected, in each organ respectively. The EDOEO produced no alterations in the studied organs. Histopathological findings in the EDM group were the same observed in the group that consumed the EDFB1. The subchronic ingestion of DEFB1 induced lower levels of TGs and an increase in the ALP activity. An opposite effect was observed in this enzymatic activity in animals that consumed the EDOEO, where lower values were obtained for ALP. No significant differences were observed in the biochemical parameters from rats fed the EDM with respect to the control group. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that the OEO, or some of their main constituents, could have protective action against some toxic effects induced by consumption of FB1 in rats. References: 1.      Zunino, M. P., et al. 1998. Planta Medica.64 :86-87 2.      Voss, K, A., et al. 1990. Mycopathologia 112:81-92. 3.      Shephard, G. S., et al. 1990. Journal of Liquid Chromatography 13:2077-2087.