The in vitro effects of aflatoxin B <sub>1</sub> on physiological functions of swine alveolar macrophages
Victor Fei Pang, Chung‐Feng Chiang, Chih‐Cheng Chang
Abstract
Abstract The toxic effects of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) on the physiological functions of swine alveolar macrophages (SAM) were investigated. Freshly isolated SAM were incubated with various AFB 1 concentrations (1.6 × 10 –1 – 1.6 × 10 5 nmol/L) and time periods, and their phagocytic ability, synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein, and cell activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were analysed. Results demonstrated that a significant ( p < .05) reduction (60%) in Staphylococcus aureus uptaken by SAM appeared 3 hr after AFB 1 (>16 nmol/L) treatment. The synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein were markedly reduced, among which DNA and protein synthesis were affected more noticeably. The activation of SAM by LPS was significantly ( p < .05) suppressed when the concentration of AFB 1 reached 1.6 × 10 3 nmol/L. In general, most of the analysed effects were more prominent as AFB 1 concentration or incubation period increased. Taken together, AFB 1 could elicit significant adverse effects on the physiological functions of SAM. Exposure of pigs to aflatoxin‐contaminated feed may increase their susceptibility to various secondary infections.