Hepatic acute-phase response of healthy and partially hepatectomized rats to mycotoxins

Aflatoxins are classified as etiological agents associated with hepatic necrosis and hepatoma in animals consuming aflatoxin-contaminated diets. A strong statistical association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was established in regions with high endemic concentrations of aflatoxin. In the present study hepatic acutephase response (A-PR) to intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of a low dose of AFB1 allowed in depth cognition of mechanisms and early initiation of A-PR by healthy and physically injured hepatic tissue in a state of nuclear mitosis, thus the reaction of nascent hepatocytes to the toxicity of AFB1 and/or its metabolites. A general mechanism is proposed for hepatic intoxication and/or detoxification by AFB1. Furthermore, as the APR of partially hepatectomized rats was diluted upon administration of low dose of AFB1, retardation of hepatic proliferation of partially hepatectomized rats at low levels of AFB1 may not be solely due to AFB1-8,9-epoxide-DNA adduction but that other intoxication mechanisms may be involved.