Background/aim: Dietary aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) 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.
Methods: Four 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+AFB(1)) was fed 0.75% ferrocene throughout and gavaged 25 microg AFB(1) for 10 days; group 4 (AFB(1)) was gavaged 25 microg AFB(1) 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.
Results: LPO and ALT showed a significant (p<0.05)/additive effect and 8OHdG a significant (p<0.05)/multiplicative effect in the Fe+AFB(1) 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+AFB(1) group, suggestive of multiplicative synergy. Significant levels of mutagenesis (p<0.001) were observed in the Fe+AFB(1) group. This multiplicative synergy was five-fold.
Conclusion: Dietary iron overload and AFB(1) have a multiplicative effect on mutagenesis.