• Mycobiology
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.339-345
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• 2014

During 2011~2013, a total of 729 samples for 19 types of medicinal plant were collected from Seoulyekryungsi in Seoul, Korea, and investigated for the presence of aflatoxins. The samples were analyzed using immunoaffinity column cleanup and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a fluorescence detector after post-column derivatization. Aflatoxins were found in 124 out of the 729 analyzed samples: 65 containing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), 24 with aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), 15 with aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), and 20 samples with aflatoxin G2 (AFG2). The ranges for positive samples were $0.1{\sim}404.7{\mu}g/kg$ for AFB1, $0.1{\sim}10.0{\mu}g/kg$ for AFB2, $0.1{\sim}635.3{\mu}g/kg$ for AFG1, $0.1{\sim}182.5{\mu}g/kg$ for AFG2, and $0.1{\sim}1,043.9{\mu}g/kg$ for total aflatoxins. Most of the medicinal plant samples (721, 98.9%) were below legal limits, but 8 samples exceeded the legal limits of 10 and $15{\mu}g/kg$ established by the Korean standard for AFB1 and total aflatoxins (the sum of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2), respectively.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.81-87
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• 1995

Daily exposure of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was estimated in foods (rice, barley, soybean, peanut, soysauce, soybean paste) by ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) using polyclonal antibody R101. Before ELISA, a simple extraction method was applied for the quantitation of AFB1 in foods using chloroform which showed high recovery (70$\pm$12%). AFB1 levels in foods were 0.32 ng/ml (rice), 0.24ng/ml (barley), 0.22 ng/ml (peanut), 0.30~0.78 ng/ml (soysauce), and 0.2 ng/ml (soybean paste). Based on food consumption, we estimated that Koreans were exposed to AFB1 at the level of 1.86$\pm$0.46 ng/kg/day and liver cancer incidence attributed to AFB1 exposure (assuming that AFB1 as a single hepatocarcinogenic agent) might be calculated to be 13.1 per 100, 000 population. Our data demonstrate that AFB1 levels in foods were below the regulation of 10 ppb in foods and might not be the major risk factor for the high incidence of lover cancer in Korea.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.329-335
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• 1995

Incubation of aflatoxin $B_1$ $(AFB_1)$ with microsomes isolated from human liver number 110 yielded two metabolite peaks which were aflatoxin $Q_1$ $(AFQ_1)$ and $(AFB_1)$-exo-8, 9-epoxide (exo-epoxide) in high performance liquid chromatography. Production ratio of $AFQ_1$ to exo-epoxide was 2.43$\pm $0.04. Metabolism of $(AFB_1)$ to $(AFQ_1)$ and exo-epoxide was inhibited by troleandomycin in a same degree although troleandomycin was not activated as a mechanism-based inhibitor. The inhibitory effect was dependent upon either the incubation time with $(AFB_1)$ or the preincubation time before the addition of $(AFB_1)$. Incubation of troleandomycin and NADPH by the microsomes resulted in the formation of a cytochrome P 450 (P450)-metabollc intermediate (MI) complex and the level was approximately 80% of total P450 3A4 in the microsomes. This figure was similar to that of the inhibitory effect of troleandomycin on $AFB_1$ metabolism. Glutathione which was reported that it prevented the formation of MI complex in rat liver microsomes did not inhibit the formation of MI complex in human liver microsomes. These results suggested that the inhibitory effect of troleandomycin on $AFB_1$ metabolism is due to the formation of MI complex with P450 3A4. And the reaction mechanism of troleandomycin by human liver microsomes might be dlfferent from that one by rat liver microsomes.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.185-197
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the alleviative effects of activated charcoal (AC) and Houttuynia cordata (HC) singly or in combination in broiler chickens during aflatoxicosis. Activated charcoal (1% or 0.5%) and H. cordata (1% or 0.5%) were mixed into the diets for the ability to reduced the deleterious effects of 2.4mg total aflatoxin $(AFB_1)kg^{-1}$ diet on growing broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 160 1-day-old (Hyline Variety Brown) broiler chicks were housed in eight treatment groups [Control, $AFB_1$, AC 1%, HC 1%, $AFB_1$ plus AC 1% plus HC 1%, $AFB_1$ plus AC 1% plus HC 0.5%, $AFB_1$ plus AC 0.5% plus HC 1%, $AFB_1$ plus AC 0.5% plus HC 0.5%] each consisting of 20 chicks. Compared to control, 2.4mg $AFB_1$ alone treatment group significantly decreased body weight gains of chickens. The addition of mixed AC 1% and HC 1% including 6, 7 groups to the 2.4mg $AFB_1$-containing diet moderately reduced the adverse effects of $AFB_1$ on performances of chickens. The chickens consuming 2.4mg $AFB_1$ plus AC 0.5% and HC 0.5%-containing diet showed very slightly reduced the adverse effects on investigated parameters compared to the $AFB_1$ only treated group. Also, the single addition of AC or HC to the $AFB_1$-free diet had no adverse effects in chickens. These results suggest that AC and HC mixed can reduced the aflatoxicosis in broilers and may be contribute to a solution of the aflatoxicosis problem in poultry production.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권8호
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• pp.1207-1213
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• 2020

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus). AFB1 is reported to have high thermal stability and is not decomposed by heat treatment during food processing. Therefore, in this study, knowing that AFB1 is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP), our aim was to develop a method to detoxify A. flavus-contaminated maize, under normal temperature and pressure, using Escherichia coli expressing human CYP3A4. First, the metabolic activity of AFB1 by recombinant human CYP3A4 was evaluated. As a result, we confirmed that recombinant human CYP3A4 metabolizes 98% of AFB1. Next, we found that aflatoxin Q1, a metabolite of AFB1 was no longer mutagenic. Furthermore, we revealed that about 50% of the AFB1 metabolic activity can be maintained for 3 months when E. coli expressing human CYP3A4 is freeze-dried in the presence of trehalose. Finally, we found that 80% of AFB1 in A. flavus-contaminated maize was metabolized by E. coli expressing human CYP3A4 in the presence of surfactant triton X-405 at a final concentration of 10% (v/v). From these results, we conclude that AFB1 in A. flavus-contaminated maize can be detoxified under normal temperature and pressure by using E. coli expressing human CYP3A4.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.215-219
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• 2009

To conduct a risk assessment of $AFB_1$ intake, $AFM_1$, which is a metabolite of $AFB_1$ in the human and porcine urine, was determined by competitive direct ELISA (cdELISA). The detection limit of cdELISA using anti-$AFM_1$ antibody and $AFB_1$-HRP conjugate was 10 pg/mL. The recoveries of $AFM_1$ were 117-167% after the addition of $AFM_1$ in the human urine in a range of 3-100 pg/mL. 165 samples (95.5%) of those obtained from 172 persons evidenced measurable levels of urinary $AFM_1$. The detected $AFM_1$ ranges were 0-11.6 pg/mL and the average level of $AFM_1$ contamination was 2.74${\pm}$ 1.89 pg/mL. The estimated amount of $AFM_1$ excretion in the human urine was 3.97 ng/day and the estimated $AFB_1$ intake amount was 79.4 ng/day. The probable daily intake (PDI) of $AFB_1$ by the subjects was estimated to be 1.28 ng/kg bw/day, which was higher than the tolerable daily intake (TDI, 0.15 ng/kg bw/day). In the case of porcine urine, the $AFM_1$ ranged between 0.97-26.7 pg/mL and the average contaminated $AFM_1$ was 10.62${\pm}$4.39 pg/mL. The estimated amount of $AFM_1$ excretion in the porcine urine was 27.6 ng/day, and the estimated $AFB_1$ intake amount was 551 ng/day.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.5-12
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• 2000

Lipid peroxidation is one of the main manifestations of oxidative damage and has been found play an important role in the toxicity and carcinogenesis of many carcinogens. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of aflatoxin B$_1$co-administrated with antioxidant vitamins on lipid contents and fatty acids components of liver in mice. For this work, vita-min C and vitamin E, the major antioxidants, were administrated with 10 mg/kg and 63.8 mg/kg respectively, through intraperitoneal(i.p) injection to male ICR mice, and 0.4 mg/kg of the AFB$_1$injected by i.p. 1hr later. The results were as follows: two fold amounts of free cholesterol, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in serum and liver of mice treated with only AFB$_1$were observed, when compared to those of mice co-administrated with antioxidant vitamins. However, the levels of phospholipids in serum and liver of mice treated with only AFB$_1$were decreased. Concerning to fatty acids composition of liver from AFB$_1$-treated mice, P/S ratio was shown more low level in cholesteryl ester, triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipid than those of mice co-administrated with antioxidant vitamins. In these data which provide with a reliable evidence on their antioxidantal effects to aflatoxicosis.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.95-101
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• 1999

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 metabolizes aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) to AFB1-exo-8,9-epoxide (8,9-epoxidation) and aflatoxin Q1 (AFQ1; 3$\alpha$-hydroxylation) simultaneously. We investigated whether each metabolite was formed via its own binding site of CAP3A4 active site. Kinetics of the formation of the two metabolites were sigmoidal and consistent with the kinetics of substrate activation. The HIll model predicted that two substrate binding wites are involved in the oxidationof AFB1 by CYP3A4. Dehydronifedipine, a metabolite of nifedipine generated by CYP3A4, inhibited the formation of AFQ1 without any inhibition in the formation of AFB1-exo-8,9-epoxidation. Dehydronifedipine was found to act as a reversible competitive inhibitor against 3$\alpha$-hydroxylation of AFB1. Vmax and S0.5 of the 8,9-epoxidation were not changed in the presence of 0, 50, or 100 $\mu\textrm{M}$ dehydronifedipine. S0.5 of 3$\alpha$-hydroxylation was increased from 58$\pm$4 $\mu\textrm{M}$ to 111$\pm$8 $\mu\textrm{M}$ in the presence of 100 $\mu\textrm{M}$ nifedipine whereas Vmax was not changed. These results suggest that there exist two independent binding sites in the active site of CAP3A4 . One binding site is responsible for AFB1-exo-8,9-epoxidation and the other is involved in 3$\alpha$-hydroxylation of AFB1. Dehydronifedipine might selectively bind to the site which is responsible for the formation of AFQ1 in the active site of CYP3A4.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.243-249
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) produced by the Aspergillus spp. causes acute hepatotoxicity by lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, and induces liver carcinoma in humans and laboratory animals. This study was performed to examine the protective effects of KRG against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ using liver-specific serum marker analysis, histopathology, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. In addition, to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effects, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were analyzed. Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg of KRG (KRG group) or saline ($AFB_1$ group) for 4 weeks and then received 150 ${\mu}g/kg$ of $AFB_1$ intraperitoneally for 3 days. Rats were sacrificed at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, or 1 wk after $AFB_1$ treatment. In the KRG pre-treatment group, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels were low, but superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were high as compared to the $AFB_1$ alone group. Histopathologically, $AFB_1$ treatment induced necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocytes, and led to inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver. KRG pre-treatment ameliorated these changes. These results indicate that KRG may have protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ that involve the antioxidant properties of KRG.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권11호
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• pp.1639-1645
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) on the ultracellular morphology alteration, apoptosis induction and reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates production of peritoneal macrophages (DPM) from mule ducks. The ducklings were purchased from a commercial hatchery, and were fed a corn-soybean based diet. As the ducklings were grown up to 3 wk of age, the Sephadex-elicited peritoneal exudative cells (PEC) were used as the source for duck peritoneal macrophages. The ultracellular morphology study showed that significant number of cells shifted from category I (normal cell with ruffled membrane) and II (cell membrane blebbing) to category III (cell membrane blebbing and even rupture) after DPM were incubated with $AFB_1$ ($20{\mu}g/ml$) for 12 to 48 h. When DPM were exposed to $AFB_1$ in vitro, the production of NO, $H_2O_2$ and $O_2{^-}$ in macrophages was reduced after 12-48 h incubation with previous LPS stimulation. There was a DNA laddering pattern observed in DPM incubated with $AFB_1$ 5, 10, 20, 50 or $100{\mu}g/ml$ for 12 h. Evidence also revealed that the percentage of apoptotic cells was increased along with the elevation of $AFB_1$ concentration. The results suggest that $AFB_1$ exposure causes duck macrophages going on apoptotic pathway through evidence of ultracellular morphology alteration and DNA laddering in agarose electrophoresis. The production of reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates of duck macrophages also depressed after $AFB_1$ exposure, and this implied that $AFB_1$ could cause deteriorated functions of bacteriocidal and tumoricidal activity in duck macrophages.