World Mycotoxin Journal, 2019; 12 (3): 293-305 Wageningen Academic Publishers ISSN 1875-0710 print, ISSN 1875-0796 online, DOI 10.3920/WMJ2018.2424 293 1. Introduction Food products rich in fibre, protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins are part of a healthy diet, but these nutrients can serve as substrates for microorganism proliferation, especially fungi (Orina et al., 2017; Peters et al., 2017; Sadhasivam et al., 2017). Some species of fungi produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Importantly, mycotoxins contaminate around 75% of all cereals produced in the world (Lee and Ryu, 2017; Schatzmayr and Streit, 2013). Among mycotoxins, aflatoxins are the prominent group, of which aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) is considered the most toxic and abundant (Singh and Chuturgoon, 2017; Stoev, 2015). In fact, food and beverages contaminated with aflatoxins cause global health problems (Mitchell et al., 2016). These toxins are the leading cause of some types of liver cancer and severe gastrointestinal problems, negatively affecting up to five billion people (Liu and Wu, 2010; Williams et al., 2004). In light of the deleterious effects of mycotoxins, there is a need for regulation of their levels in food. Nevertheless, the maximum acceptable levels vary by country (Alshannaq and Yu, 2017; Schatzmayr and Streit, 2013). For instance, in Brazil and USA 20 µg/kg (ANVISA, Legislation 07/2011) is the maximum level, whereas the European Union (EC, 2006) has set limits to 4-15 µg/kg of total aflatoxins. Moreover, in Japan total aflatoxin limit is 10 µg/kg and in Germany it is 4 µg/kg, illustrating the differences in limits for mycotoxins as food contaminants. These mycotoxins are mutagenic, carcinogenic, hepatotoxic and immunosuppressive; exert inhibitory effects on biological processes, including changes at DNA and RNA level, protein synthesis and development of oxidative stress. Accordingly, AFB 1 is a group 1 carcinogenic by International Agency Cancer Research (IARC) (Karabacak et al., 2015; Vipin et al., 2017). Of note, AFB 1 is stable and Behavioural and biochemical effects of one-week exposure to aflatoxin B 1 and aspartame in male Wistar rats N.S. Souto 1 , M. Dassi 1 , A.C.M. Braga 2 , E.V.F. Rosa 2 , M.R. Fighera 2 , L.F.F. Royes 2 , M.S. Oliveira 2 and A.F. Furian 1,2* 1 Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia dos Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Prédio 43, Sala 4217, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; 2 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; ana.furian@ufsm.br Received: 18 December 2018 / Accepted: 11 March 2019 © 2019 Wageningen Academic Publishers RESEARCH ARTICLE Abstract 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. Keywords: mycotoxin, sweetener, food products, oxidative stress, behavioural tests, sugar https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/pdf/10.3920/WMJ2018.2424 - Sunday, September 06, 2020 1:01:56 PM - Cornell University Library IP Address:132.174.252.179