Effects of dietary copper on developing aflatoxicosis in Syrian hamsters.
The possible suppression of toxic and carcinogenic activities of aflatoxin by the cupric ion were investigated. Weanling, male Syrian hamsters received diets of either ground meal, ground meal plus 22.9 ppm mixed aflatoxins (9.2 ppm AFB1, 0.4 ppm AFB2, 12.8 ppm AFG1, 0.5 ppm AFG2), ground meal plus copper acetate (0.5% by weight) and 22.9 ppm mixed aflatoxins, or ground meal plus copper acetate (0.5%). Experimental parameters measured included: food and water consumption, body weight responses, mortality, gross pathology and histopathological changes, as well as protein synthesis in the liver tissue during incubation in Krebs' medium. The results indicate that copper may act as a protective agent against low levels of these mycotoxins. Significantly, more animals undergoing combined treatment (aflatoxin plus copper) survived and had higher body weights. Less severe liver pathology was seen in these animals as compared to those receiving aflatoxin without a copper supplement.