The in vitro effects of aflatoxin B1 on physiological functions of swine alveolar macrophages

Abstract

The toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the physiological functions of swine alveolar macrophages (SAM) were investigated. Freshly isolated SAM were incubated with various AFB1 concentrations (1.6 × 10–1 – 1.6 × 105 nmol/L) and time periods, and their phagocytic ability, synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein, and cell activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were analysed. Results demonstrated that a significant (p 16 nmol/L) treatment. The synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein were markedly reduced, among which DNA and protein synthesis were affected more noticeably. The activation of SAM by LPS was significantly (p