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Aflatoxins are food-contaminating metabolites that can intoxicate and damage multiple organs. This study compared the effects of administration OF aflatoxin powder (AFP) and aflatoxin liquid (AFS) on the testes and lungs of rats and explored their potential mechanisms of action. Fifteen rats were divided equally into 3 groups. Aflatoxin B1 powder (0.5 mg/kg) and aflatoxin B1 liquid (0.5 mg/kg) were orally administered to the AFP and AFS group, respectively, for 21 days. The control group was fed a basal pellet diet and water. The rats were weighed at the beginning of the trial and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days. Blood samples were drawn at the end of the experiments and analysed for complete blood count (CBC), i.e. red blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin content, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelet, neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, basophil, and eosinophil counts. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) as oxidative stress biomarkers were determined, as well as serum testosterone. Testes and lungs were examined under a light microscope to assess the aflatoxin B1-induced histopathological changes. Weight gain and its percentages were significantly higher in the AFS group than in the AFP group (P <0.050). Neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and basophil counts were also significantly increased in the AFP and AFS groups in comparison to the controls. A significant increase in eosinophil count was noted in the AFP group as compared to controls, while the lymphocyte count was significantly higher in the AFS group than in the AFP group. Testosterone serum levels significantly decreased in both groups (AFP and AFS) relative to the control group. MDA and NO serum levels were also significantly higher in the AFS group than in the AFP group, while the levels in both groups (AFP and AFS) were higher than in controls. Histological examination of the testes revealed severe testicular damage, the loss of the spermatogenesis process, and necrosis, degeneration, shrinkage, and atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in both the AFP and AFS groups. Histological observations of the lungs showed large numbers of inflammatory cells, mast cell infiltration, dilated alveolar sacs with exudates, and marked haemorrhage in both groups (AFP and AFS). The histological damage to the testes and lungs was more prominent in the AFS group than in the AFP group. The results demonstrated elevated oxidative stress markers and reduced serum testosterone levels in AFP and AFS-treated rats. Both organs studied (testes and lung) were severely damaged, with more pronounced changes in the AFS-treated group than in the AFP group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aflatoxin (AF), a metabolite of Aspergillus flavus, is injurious to vital body organs. The bacterial defense against such mycotoxins has attracted significant attention. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to ameliorate AF toxicity. Methods: Thirty adult male rats were divided into six groups (five each) to perform the experiments. The control (Co) group was fed a basal diet and water. Each of the following periods lasted 21 days: the milk (MK) group orally received milk (500 µL); LAB suspension (500 µL) containing 107 cfu/mL was orally provided to the LAB group; AF (0.5 mg/kg) was orally given to the AF group; and a combination of AF and LAB was administered to the AF + LAB group. The AF/LAB group was initially given AF for 21 days, followed by LAB for the same period. Finally, the rats were dissected to retrieve blood and tissue samples for hematological, biochemical, and histological studies. Results: The results revealed a significant decrease in RBCs, lymphocytes, total proteins, eosinophil count, albumin, and uric acid, whereas the levels of WBCs, monocytes, neutrophils, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine kinase significantly increased in the AF group in comparison to the control group. The histological examination of the AF group revealed necrosis and apoptosis of the kidney's glomeruli and renal tubules, nuclei vacuolization and apoptosis of hepatocytes, congestion of the liver's dilated portal vein, lymphoid depletion in the white pulp, localized hemorrhages, hemosiderin pigment deposition in the spleen, and vacuolization of seminiferous tubules with a complete loss of testis spermatogenic cells. Meanwhile, protective and therapeutic LAB administration in AF-treated rats improved the hematological, biochemical, and histological changes. Conclusions: The study revealed LAB-based amelioration to AFB1-induced disruptions of the kidney, liver, spleen, and testis by inhibiting tissue damage. The therapeutic effects of LAB were comparatively more pronounced than the protective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]