الفهرس 
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Abstract
Mycotoxins, the secondary metabolites of toxigenic fungi, are unavoidable contaminants in foods and feeds exerting harmful effects upon animal and human health. Most of mycotoxins are relatively small molecular weights, and usually heat-stable compounds. Moreover, the great stability of these compounds allows them to resist to classical process of cooking and/or sterilization.
Mycotoxin toxicity is variable. Some are hepatotoxic (Aflatoxins), immunotoxic (trichothecenes, fumonisins), others have an estrogenic potential (zearalenone), etc. Certain mycotoxins are considered as carcinogenic or suspected to have carcinogenic properties.
Products of animal origin, such as meat and meat products, may contribute to the human intake of mycotoxins resulting from the indirect transfer of production animals, which consume naturally contaminated grains (carry-over effects), or by direct contamination of fungi in mixtures of contaminated spices used in meat production
At the present time, only Aflatoxins and, to a lesser extent, Ochratoxin A are regulated in foods from animal origin. For other toxins, the risk management is based on the control of the contamination of food from vegetal origin intended for both human and animal consumption. Regulatory values or recommendations are mainly built on available knowledge on toxicity and potential carryover of these molecules in animal. Therefore, by limiting animal exposure through feed ingestion, one can guarantee against the presence of residues of mycotoxins in animal-derived products. However, accidental high levels of contamination may lead to a sporadic contamination of products coming from exposed animals. However, in some countries regulatory values or recommendations have been established only for Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A, and only for some foodstuffs of an animal origin, while for other mycotoxins the risk management has been based on the control of contamination of food of a vegetal origin intended for both human and animal consumption
There is enough evidence suggesting that antioxidants ameliorate oxidative stress during mycotoxicosis by reducing the level of free radicals. Several natural (vitamins, provitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and micronutrients) as well as synthetic compounds seem to have chemo protective effects against common mycotoxins. Therefore, there is a growing scientific interest in natural and safe antioxidants. Natural extracts Natural compounds extracted from plants have been evaluated with respect to their efficacy in reduction the negative effects of mycotoxins
Therefore this study was carried out to achieve the following targets:
Evaluation of the level of mycotoxin contamination in Beef, Poultry meat and some of their products and organs in Egyptian market. Utilization of a combination of plant extracts from Clove, Cinnamon, and Thyme as a natural antiFungal and in detoxification of Aflatoxin in a synthetic medium. Finally assessment the Biological effect of mycotoxins on the body organs and body systems of male rats and evaluate the protective role of a combination of plant extracts from Clove, Cinnamon, and Thyme against this hazardous effect of Aflatoxin in a 30 days biological experiment on male rat, through the evaluation of liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, and tumor marker and body protein and histopathological investigation.
This aim was achieved by:
1. A total of 327 Meat samples (Fresh Beef meat, Imported Beef meat, Minced Beef meat, Fresh poultry meat, Frozen poultry meat (poultry samples including; thigh and breast)), uncooked processed meat and poultry products samples (Sausage , Canned meat, Luncheon , Nuggets, Basterma and Burger), and animal organs (Beef liver and Poultry liver), were randomly collected (25 samples of each). Un processed fresh beef, poultry meat and liver were collected from different governorates of Egypt (Alexandria, Beheira, Gharbia, Sharqia, Monufia), While uncooked processed meat and poultry products were collected from different companies in Egypt. After collection they were subjected to mycological examination and Myctoxin analysis (Aflatoxin, Aflatoxin B1, Ochratoxin).
2. Preparation of aqueous plant extracts (Clove, Cinnamon, and Thyme), Evaluating plant extracts and their mix for their phenolic, flavonoid, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, anti-Fungal, anti-inflammatory, and Aflatoxin removal potentials.
3. In vivo Assessment of the Biological effect of Aflatoxin on the body organs and body systems of male rats and evaluate the protective role of a combination of plant extracts from Clove, Cinnamon, and Thyme against this hazardous effect of Aflatoxin in a 30 days biological experiment on male rat through the evaluation of liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, and tumor marker and body protein and histopathological investigation.
The obtained results can be summarized as follow:
1. Mycotoxin contamination (Aflatoxin, Aflatoxin B1, Ochratoxin), Fungal count (cfu/g) and percentage of Fungal occurrence in examined Beef, poultry meat and some of their products and organs.
1.1. Processed meat products
1.1.1. Total Aflatoxin value (µg/kg), was higher in processed meat products with the highest value for Basterma samples with a mean value of 296.10±56.61 µg/kg, and followed by Beef Burger samples with a mean value of 201.67±84.71 µg/kg, after that Chicken nuggets samples with a mean value of 67.00±26.87 µg/kg, Then there were the results of Luncheon samples with a mean value of 56.50±7.19 µg/kg, Followed by Canned meat samples with a mean value of 38.50±24.75 µg/kg, After that Sausage samples with a mean value of 18.00±1.41 µg/kg, and The lowest meat product contaminated with Aflatoxin in this study is minced Beef meat with a mean value of 15.40±5.27 µg/kg. These different mean values of Aflatoxins residues in samples may be related to the amount of additives contaminated with toxigenic mold strains used in the processing Spices used in meat products can be shown as a source of mycotoxin contamination because those products were reported to contain Aflatoxin in them, and also mycotoxin was found in the raw meat used as raw material in meat products production, in compared with the Permissible limits according to (WHO, 1979; FAO, 1995; FDA, 1998) are (10 µg/kg) only 20% of minced meat samples was complied with permissible limits while all the other meat products have crossed the permissible limits.
1.1.2. Total Aflatoxin B1 levels (µg/kg), Data indicated that higher Aflatoxin B1 contamination was observed in Basterma samples with a mean value of 72.25±21.27 µg/kg, Followed by Beef Burger samples with a mean value of 56.00±19.80 µg/kg, After that Chicken nuggets samples with a mean value of 45.00±35.36 µg/kg, Then there were the results of Luncheon samples with a mean value of 30.75±9.14 µg/kg, Followed by Canned meat samples with a mean value of 27.67±9.29 µg/kg, After that Sausage samples with a mean value of 10.10±3.85 µg/kg. The lowest meat product contaminated with Aflatoxin B1 in this study is minced Beef meat with a mean value of 10.03±4.70 µg/kg, in compared with the Permissible limits according to (WHO, 1979; FAO, 1995; FDA, 1998) are (5 µg/kg) all the meat products have exceeded the permissible limits.
1.1.3. Ochratoxin levels (µg/kg), Data indicated that higher Ochratoxin contamination was observed in Basterma samples with a mean value of 143.40±61.19 µg/kg, Followed by Beef Burger samples with a mean value of 137.25±37.48 µg/kg, Then there were the results of Luncheon samples with a mean value of 102.00±25.46 µg/kg, After that Chicken nuggets samples with a mean value of 78.00±52.58 µg/kg, Followed by Canned meat samples with a mean value of 62.67±9.71 µg/kg, After that Sausage samples with a mean value of 43.33±28.43 µg/kg, The lowest meat product contaminated with Ochratoxin in this study is minced Beef meat with a mean value of 21.67±9.71 µg/kg, in compared with the Permissible limits according to (WHO, 1979; FAO, 1995; FDA, 1998) are (16µg/kg) all the meat products have exceeded the permissible limits except only 20% of minced meat samples was complied with permissible limits.
1.1.4. Fungal count (cfu/g) Data indicated that higher Fungal count was observed in Basterma samples with mean values of (9.2x108 and 9.8x108 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, Followed by Beef Burger samples with mean values of (7.9x108 and 8.8x108 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, Then there were the results of Luncheon samples with mean values of (7.4x106 and 8.1x106 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, Followed by Sausage samples with mean values of (5.8x106 and 7.3x106 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, Followed by Canned meat samples with mean values of (6.2x106 and 6.9x106 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, Followed by Chicken nuggets samples with mean values of (4.9x106 and 5.1x106 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, The lowest Fungal count for meat product in this study was in minced Beef meat with mean values of (3.9x105 and 4.8x105 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively.
1.1.5. Seven Fungal genera were identified and recorded in proceesed meat products. These are Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus carbonarius, and Aspergillus ochraceus.
1.2. Unprocessed meat and poultry samples (Fresh and frozen) and liver
1.2.1. Total Aflatoxin value (µg/kg), Data indicated that the highest Aflatoxin level was detected in frozen poultry meat both thigh and breast with a mean values of 44.80±10.92 and 40.80±13.01 µg/kg, respectively, followed by cattle liver with a value of 24.00±11.31 µg/kg, after that poultry liver with a value of 22.50±3.32 µg/kg, Followed by the Aflatoxin values of imported Beef meat with a value of 11.56±3.68 µg/kg, and the lowest values for fresh poultry meat both thigh and breast with a mean values of 8.28±4.83 and 9.98±3.39 µg/kg, respectively, Followed by the Aflatoxin values of fresh Beef meat with a value of 6.49±1.66 µg/kg
1.2.2. Total Aflatoxin B1 levels (µg/kg), Data indicated that higher Aflatoxin B1 contamination was observed in frozen poultry meat both thigh and breast with a mean values of 24.67±5.03 and 30.00±11.14 µg/kg, respectively, followed by cattle liver with a value of 21.33±9.02 µg/kg, after that poultry liver with a value of 18.00±11.31 µg/kg, Followed by the Aflatoxin values of imported Beef meat with a value of 8.50±1.84 µg/kg, and the lowest values for fresh Beef meat with a value of 2.73±1.01 µg/kg, Followed by the Aflatoxin values of fresh poultry meat both thigh and breast with a mean values of 1.83±0.25 and 2.33±1.80 µg/kg, respectively.
1.2.3. Ochratoxin levels (µg/kg), Data indicated that higher Ochratoxin contamination was observed in imported Beef meat with a value of 34.50±12.40µg/kg, Followed by the Aflatoxin values of frozen poultry meat both thigh and breast with a mean values of 32.00±36.58 and 24.27±18.19 µg/kg, respectively, followed by cattle liver with a value of 21.00±2.65 µg/kg, after that poultry liver with a value of 17.33±5.51 µg/kg, and the lowest values for fresh Beef meat with a value of 5.70±6.92 µg/kg, Followed by the Aflatoxin values of fresh poultry meat both thigh and breast with a mean values of 1.06±0.16 and 1.24±0.41 µg/kg, respectively
Studies have indicated the presence of mycotoxins in cattle and poultry feed. The contaminated animal feed is the major cause of exposure of these mycotoxins to animals and therefore ultimately to humans as this mycotoxins accumulate in the liver and muscles of both cattle and poultry feeding on a mouldy feed (Carry over effect), while Freezing is a very useful method of meat preservation for prolonged times, however, in some cases due to bad storage conditions or fluctuation of freezing temperatures, mould contamination may occur. Mould contamination of frozen meat and Chicken meat and giblets may lead to their spoilage and production of mycotoxins with potential health hazards to human due to their carcinogenic effects, liver diseases and organ damage.
1.2.4. Data indicated that higher Fungal count values was observed in frozen poultry meat both thigh and breast with mean values of (5.2x106 and 6.8x106 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, Followed by the Fungal count values of imported Beef meat with mean values of (2.8x105 and 4.1x105 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), followed by cattle liver with mean values of (3.3x104 and 4.1x104 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, Followed by the Fungal count values of poultry liver with mean values of (1.9x104 and 2.3x104 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, and the lowest Fungal count was observed in fresh poultry meat both thigh and breast with mean values of (1.5x102 and 1.8x102 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively, Followed by the Fungal count values of fresh Beef meat with mean values of (1.1x102 and 2.3x102 (cfu/g) on PDA and SDA media), respectively.
1.2.5. Two Fungal genera were identified and recorded in frozen poultry meat these are Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus Niger, while five Fungal genera were identified and recorded in imported meat. These are Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Penicillium spp.
2. Evaluating plant extracts (Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, and their mix) for their phenolic, flavonoid, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, anti-Fungal, anti-inflammatory, and Aflatoxin removal potentials.
2.1. The mean values for phenolic content was (392.83, 111.68, 205.22 and 421.65 mg GAE /g sample), respectively for (Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, and their mix). The extracts mix showed the highest phenolic content.
2.2. The mean values for flavonoid content were (112.99, 74.75, 102.59 and 129.13 mg catechol/g sample), respectively for (Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, and their mix). The extracts mix showed the highest flavonoid content.
2.3. HPLC analysis of Phenolic compounds concentrations of plant extracts mix (Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, and their mix), Amongst 16 tested standards, the aqueous extract mix shows the highest results with Catechin followed by Gallic acid then Cinnamic acid followed by Chlorogenic acid (7664.29, 3900.95, 3311.75 and 2368.27 µg/g).
2.4. Results of antioxidant activity represented in the IC50 of DPPH radical scavenging assay, EC50 of reducing power and IC50 of ABTS radical scavenging assay which was (7.18, 25.16, 12.85 and 3.28 μg/ml), (15.58, 21.32, 23.20 and 13.19 mg/ml), and (8.53, 10.55, 9.49 and 5.46 μg/ml), respectively for (Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, and their mix). The extracts mix showed the highest antioxidant potentials.
2.5. The mix show a remarkable antimicrobial activity with the pathogenic strains Gram-negative strains (Escherichia coli BA12296, Klebseilla pneumonia ATCC12296, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Salmonella spp.), Gram-positive strains (Streptococcus mutans EMCC1815, Staphylococcus aureus EMCC1351, Bacillus cereus EMCC1006, Clostridium perfringens EMCC1574), yeast strain Candida albicans EMCC105, Mycotoxigenic fungi strains (Aspergillus niger EMCC 72, Aspergillus parasiticus EMCC 886, Aspergillus flavus EMCC 274) with MIC ranging from (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/ml), which was higher than the antimicrobial potentials of each extract alone.
2.6. Results of anti-inflammatory activity represented in the IC50 value of nitric oxide radical scavenging assay and IC50 value on HRBC membrane stabilization assay which was (7.81, 12.12, 10.19 and 2.60 μg/ml), and (289.95, 473.88, 3.82.53 and 104.42 μg/ml), respectively for (Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, and their mix). The extracts mix showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity.
2.7. In vitro cytotoxicity of (Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, and their mix) was tested by hemolytic activity assay and represented in the IC50 value of plant extract causing hemolysis to human RBCs which was (1814.29, 529.17, 721.59, and 95.93 μg/ml). While cytotoxicity of plant extract mix on peripheral blood mononuclear cells PBMC (Neutral red cell cytotoxicity assay) was represented by IC50 value of Extract concentration that can inhibit the growth of 50% of PBMC with mean value of 0.027 mg/ml. 2.8. Effect of different concentrations of plant extracts mix on the removal of total Aflatoxin dissolved in PBS (460 ng/ml) by the detection of total Aflatoxin residual during different time and removal % at 72 h. removal% showed very remarkable results in the five treatment groups containing phosphate buffer saline PBS+ Aflatoxin+ different concentrations of plant extracts mix (10, 20, 40, 80 and 100 μg/ml) with removal % of (58.70, 69.57, 78.48, 82.83 and 91.09%), respectively after 72 hrs. which is a concentration dependent activity the more the concentration of plant extract mix increased the more the removal % increased.
2.9. In vitro cytotoxicity of extracted Aflatoxin was tested by hemolytic activity assay and represented in the IC50 of Aflatoxin causing hemolysis to human RBCs which was (0.71 μg/ml) which is highly toxic.
2.10. So in conclusion the results showed that the mix has the highest antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiFungal and Aflatoxin removal potentials which imply a strong synergistic effect between the three plant extracts so it was used in a biological experiment on male rats to test its protective effect against aflatoxicosis in vivo.
3. In vivo Assessment of the Biological effect of Aflatoxin on the body organs and body systems of male rats and evaluate the protective role of a combination of plant extracts from Clove, Cinnamon, and Thyme against this hazardous effect of Aflatoxin in a 30 days biological experiment on male rat through the evaluation of liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, and tumor marker and body protein and histopathological investigation.
3.1. Effect on body weight (gm) of rats in four groups during 30 days trial period, at the beginning of the trial rat was in average body weight from 170-180 gm with mean values of (175.34±3.60, 174.41±5.14, 171.17±8.21, and 170.97±9.68 gm) at zero day for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively, but during the 30 day trial period the body weight increased significantly in (Control negative, Plant extract group, and Treatment group) reaching to (253.56±13.50, 235.80±11.66, and 226.56±12.71 gm), respectively at 30 day of the trial period, while the control positive group treated with Aflatoxin doesn’t increase in body weight significantly reaching 205.40±6.07 gm at 30 day of the trial period.
3.2. Mean values of body organ weight (gm) of rats in four groups at 30 day trial period was increased in control positive group, while it was in normal range in (Control negative, Plant extract group, and Treatment group).
3.3. Mean values of hematological parameters of rats in four groups at 30 days trial period, normal values were presented in (Control negative, Plant extract group, and Treatment group) while Aflatoxin treated group (control positive group) revealed significant decrease in all hematological parameters with sever anemic values, with RBCs count of 1.98±2.39 (106/ul), hemoglobin value of 5.10±2.75 (g/dL), HCT value of 11.40±5.76%, MCV value of 57.80±4.66 (fl), MCH value of 25.80±5.40 (pg), MCHC value of 44.70±10.70 (g/dL), and RDW value of 26.00±9.85%.
3.4. Mean values of hematological parameters of rats in four groups at 30 days trial period, normal values were presented in (Control negative, Plant extract group, and Treatment group) while Aflatoxin treated group (control positive group) revealed significant decrease in all biochemical parameters with sever anemic values and decreased immunity, WBCs count of 4.00±3.85 (103/ul), lymphocyte value of 80.00±2.08 (%), neutrophil value of 12.00±2.08 (%), monocyte value of 5.00±1.15 (%), eosinophil value of 3.00±1.00 (%), and platelets value of 490.00±235.39 (103/ul).
3.5. Serum parameter (ALT) Alanine amino transferase (indication of the liver function) of rats in four groups during 30 days trial period, at end of the 1st week of the trial period ALT value was within the normal range with values of (49.00±1.40, 51.00±12.73, 52.00±7.86, and 50.00±9.45 U/L) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively. During the four weeks trial period the ALT value elevated significantly in the control positive group reaching 123.00±28.09 U/L at the end of the fourth week of the trial. Meanwhile ALT values remain within normal range almost unchanged during the four weeks trial period reaching to (45.33±1.53, 59.00±8.92, and 62.20±4.32 U/L) for (Control negative, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively at the end of the fourth week of the trial.
3.6. Serum parameter (AST) Aspartate amino transferase (indication of the liver function) of rats in four groups during 30 days trial period, at end of the 1st week of the trial period AST value was within the normal range with values of (109.00±11.21, 192.50±28.99, 108.00±14.21, and 166.00±21.38 U/L) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively. During the four weeks trial period the AST value elevated significantly in the control positive group reaching 251.00±40.80 U/L at the end of the fourth week of the trial. Meanwhile AST values remain within normal range almost unchanged during the four weeks trial period reaching to (111.00±10.26, 112.00±25.12, and 157.40±20.60 U/L) for (Control negative, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively at the end of the fourth week of the trial.
3.7. Serum parameter (ALP) alkaline phosphatase of rats in four groups at 30 day trial period, reaching to values of (139.67±35.85, 224.80±42.25, 166.00±37.30, and 173.40±17.07 U/L) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively.
3.8. Serum parameter serum albumin of rats in four groups at 30 day trial period, reaching to values of (4.57±0.25, 2.92±0.43, 4.54±0.11, and 4.42±0.28 g/dL) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively.
3.9. Serum parameter Urea of rats (indication of the kidney function) in four groups at 30 day trial period, reaching to values of (29.00±6.00, 54.00±6.19, 37.00±2.19, and 38.00±6.31 mg/dl) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively
3.10. Serum parameter Creatinine of rats (indication of the kidney function) in four groups at 30 day trial period, reaching to values of (0.51±0.16 0.27±0.07, 0.45±0.11, and 0.43±0.07 mg/dL) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively.
3.11. HDL values of rats (evaluation of lipid profile) in four groups at 30 day trial period, reaching to values of (44.00±13.45, 27.00±11.02, 55.00±15.31, and 34.00±12.51 mg/dl) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively.
3.12. LDL values of rats (evaluation of lipid profile) in four groups at 30 day trial period, reaching to values of (8.00±1.52, 29.00±2.38, 6.80±1.68, and 21.30±2.62 mg/dL) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively.
3.13. Cholesterol values of rats (evaluation of lipid profile) in four groups at 30 day trial period, reaching to values of (60.00±16.46, 95.00±15.21, 63.90±13.54, and 69.00±14.28 mg/dl) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively.
3.14. T.G values of rats (evaluation of lipid profile) in four groups at 30 day trial period, reaching to values of (156.33±17.09, 241.00±10.15, 159.00±11.32, and 150.00±15.41 mg/dL) for (Control negative, Control positive, Plant extract group, and Treatment group), respectively.
3.15. Average (CEA) carceno embryonic antigen values in (Control negative, Plant extract group, and Treatment group) was (1.38±0.02, 1.15±0.09, and 2.94±0.03 ng/mL), respectively, which is within the normal range, while control positive group average CEA value of 16.40±1.21 ng/mL which is very high that indicate the possible presence of cancer in this group.
3.16. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity of rats in four groups at 30 days trial period in different areas of the brain were significantly reduced in control positive group which lead to increase of acetylcholine, the suppressed action of the enzyme. Because of its essential function, this lead to the interfere with the action of cholinesterase showing action of a potent neurotoxin, causing excessive salivation and eye watering in control positive group with a reduction % in Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity ranging from 94-98% in different areas of the brain of control positive group, while Control negative, Plant extract group, and Treatment group showed normal Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity.
3.17. Mean values of protein concentration of rats in four groups at 30 days trial period in different areas of the brain were significantly reduced in control positive group with a reduction % ranging from 94-98% in different areas of the brain.
3.18. T-maze completion time/seconds as an indication of behavioral testing of rats in control positive group take a long time to reach to the end average 28.00±8.20 seconds and some of the rats doesn’t even reach the end, due to lethargy and dullness and somewhat confusion, this also is due to the lesions of the brain which is shown in the histopathological findings especially cerebellum.
3.19. Histopathological investigation
3.19.1. The Microscopic examination in case of the negative control group, revealed a nearly normal histologic criteria of the liver, kidneys and brain tissue. Similar normal microscopic criteria, with some active defensive changes (vascular and cellular), were seen in these examined organs of rats administrated with the mixed plant extract.
3.19.2. Histopathologic changes for aflatoxicosis, in the present work, were detected in liver (portal changes of excess mononuclear cell aggregations, bile duct hyperplasia and hepatocytic degenerations), and kidneys (glomerular swelling and hypercellularity, glomerular and peri-glomerular mononuclear cells, degeneration and necrosis in uroepithelium and cast formation in some of the convoluted and medullary tubules, with tubular disorganization in renal medulla). Regards to the brain, the detected changes were not severe where some areas in the cerebrum (degeneration and necrosis in some glial cells in the molecular and pyramidal layer in addition to meningeal degeneration and corrugation) and cerebellum (vacuolations and gliosis in the molecular layer) were observed.
3.19.3. It was noticeable that some degree of ameliorating effect of the mixture of plant extract against aflatoxicosis, was seen but not complete. In the livers (small area of mononuclear cell aggregation and some small newly formed bile ductules still present, while most of all the hepatic cells appeared normal). The kidneys changes include presence of (few glomerular hypercellularity and periglomerular mononuclear cell infiltrations, vacuolar degeneration in uroepithelium of the convoluted tubules, and most of all the medullary tubules appeared nearly normal with wide lumina). The meningeal pia mater at the cerebral cortex appeared normal but finely fibrosed with active underlying neuronal cells of the molecular and pyramidal layers, while the cerebellum appeared with normal layers except of mild gliosis at the upper molecular layer.
These findings showed that:
These findings showed that the contamination of meat and meat products with mycotoxins is of a significant value because it may lead to aflatoxicosis with recurrent consumption with hazardous side effects as it is carcinogenic and affect all body systems.
In in vivo study Aflatoxin treatment resulted in haematological, biochemical, and histopathological changes. Aflatoxin treatment resulted in a significant increase in ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and LDH is indication of impaired liver, but the significant decrease in total protein and albumin with increased urea value indicate protein catabolism and/or renal dysfunction and decrease in protein metabolism/synthesis. These results clearly indicated that Aflatoxin has stressful effects on the hepatic and renal tissues