Fumonisins B1 + B2 change the expression of genes in apoptosis balance in Nile tilapia fingerlings

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the ingestion of feed containing fumonisin affects the apoptosis balance in liver cells. Thus, a trial was conducted with Nile tilapia fingerlings (2.64 ± 0.06 g) fed diets containing increasing levels of fumonisin (FB) (0-control diet, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg), and expression of caspase7 (CASP7) and sphingosine phosphate lyase (SPL) genes in liver tissue was evaluated at 15 and 30 days of treatment. SPL:CASP7 mRNA ratio was also evaluated. Relative mRNA levels of SPL decreased in tilapia treated with 60 mg FB/kg of diet at 15 days (P < .0001), while a significant increase in SPL was detected at the two highest levels of inclusion at 30 days (P < .0001). CASP7 gene expression decreased linearly as fumonisin was added, at 15 days (P < .0001). At 30 days, however, the relative CASP7 mRNA levels were only reduced in the tilapia treated with 60 mg FB/kg of diet (P = .0011). The results obtained in this study suggest a direct relationship between SPL and CASP7 expressions, so it can be inferred that as the period of consumption and level of fumonisin are increased, the numerical relationship between SPL:CASP7 mRNA is also increased.