Interactions between aflatoxin B1 and dietary iron overload in hepatic mutagenesis

Background/aimDietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure and iron overload are important causes of hepatocellular carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate if the two risk factors have an interactive effect.MethodsFour groups of Wistar albino rats were studied for 12 months. Group 1 (control) was fed the normal chow diet; group 2 (Fe) was supplemented with 0.75% ferrocene iron; group 3 (Fe + AFB1) was fed 0.75% ferrocene throughout and gavaged 25 μg AFB1 for 10 days; group 4 (AFB1) was gavaged 25 μg AFB1 for 10 days. Iron profile, lipid peroxidation (LPO), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG), oxidative lipid/DNA damage immunohistochemistry, superoxide/nitrite free radicals, cytokines IL6, IL-10, transaminases (ALT/AST) and Ames mutagenesis tests were performed.ResultsLPO and ALT showed a significant (p < 0.05)/additive effect and 8OHdG a significant (p < 0.05)/multiplicative effect in the Fe + AFB1 group. IL-6 produced a negative synergy as against an additive antagonistic effect with IL-10. Massive deposits of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and 8OHdG were observed in liver sections of the Fe + AFB1 group, suggestive of multiplicative synergy. Significant levels of mutagenesis (p < 0.001) were observed in the Fe + AFB1 group. This multiplicative synergy was five-fold.ConclusionDietary iron overload and AFB1 have a multiplicative effect on mutagenesis.