Behavioural and biochemical effects of one-week exposure to aflatoxin B1 and aspartame in male Wistar rats

Food products are susceptible to contamination by mycotoxins, and aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) stands as the most toxic among them. AFB 1 intoxication results in distinct signs, including widespread systemic toxicity. Aspartame (ASP) is an artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute in many products, and compelling evidence indicates ASP can be toxic. Interestingly, mechanisms underlying ASP and AFB 1 toxicity involve oxidative stress. In this context, concomitant use of ASP and AFB 1 in a meal may predispose to currently unidentified behavioural and biochemical changes. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of AFB 1 (250 μg/kg, intragastrically (i.g.)) and/or ASP (75 mg/kg, i.g.) exposure for 7 days on behavioural and biochemical markers of oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. AFB 1 and/or ASP increased hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity when compared to controls. In the kidneys, increased GST activity was detected in AFB 1 and AFB 1 +ASP groups. In addition, AFB 1 and or ASP elicited behavioural changes in the open field, marble burying and splash tests, however no additive effects were detected. Altogether, present data suggest AFB 1 and ASP predispose to anxiety- and obsessive-compulsive-like symptoms, as well as to enzymatic defence system imbalance in liver and kidney of Wistar rats.