Aflatoxin B1

AFB1 is a potent toxin, mutagen, and carcinogen, and is implicated in the etiology of hepatocarcinoma.

Warm temperatures, high humidity, and plant injuries, in the field and during storage, promote both the growth of the fungi and aflatoxin production. The greatest threat to public health is from contaminated peanuts, cottonseed, maize, and rice.

Although the liver is the major site of injury, Aflatoxin B1-induced tumors have been experimentally produced in the lungs, kidneys, and colons of rodents.

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Aflatoxins are some of the most carcinogenic substances in the environment. Aflatoxin susceptibility is dependent on multiple different factors such as age, sex, and diet. Aflatoxin can be found in beans, corn, rice, tree nuts, wheat, milk, eggs, and meat. In cases of lung aspergilloma, aflatoxin has been found in human tissue specimens. Aflatoxin can lead to liver damage, cancer, mental impairment, abdominal pain, hemorrhaging, coma, and death. Aflatoxin has been shown to inhibit leucocyte proliferation. Clinical signs of aflatoxicosis are non-pruritic macular rash, headache, gastrointestinal dysfunction (often extreme), lower extremity edema, anemia, and jaundice. Treatment should include fluid support to prevent dehydration. The toxicity of Aflotoxin is increased in the presence of Ochratoxin and Zearalenone. The drug Oltipraz can increase glutathione conjugation of aflatoxin while inhibiting the toxic effect of P450 oxidation, reducing liver toxicity and promoting safer elimination. A diet of carrots, parsnips, celery, and parsley may reduce the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin. Bentonite clay is reported to reduce the absorption of aflatoxins found in food. Supplementation with chlorophyllin, zinc, and vitamins A, E, and C has been used to treat aflatoxicosis. 

- Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is produced by many strains of Aspergillus fungi.

- Aflatoxin B1 is the most potent natural carcinogen known and is usually the major aflatoxin produced by toxigenic strains.

- Aflatoxin B1 is one of the most potent liver carcinogens known and has been associated as a cocarcinogen with hepatitis B in the high incidence of human liver cancer.

- AFB1 is a potent toxin, mutagen, and carcinogen, and is implicated in the etiology of hepatocarcinoma.