INTERACTION OF AFLATOXINS AS MEASURED BY THEIR BIOCHEMICAL ACTION ON RAT LIVER SLICES AND HEPATOCYTES

The possible interaction between pairs of aflatoxins com monly occurring together in foods was evaluated by determining their biochem ical actions on the liver and hepatocytes of young mature rats. RNA synthesis, a sensitive and 14 early target of the effects of aflatoxin B1, was m easured with [ C]orotic acid or 3 [ H]uridine used as substrates. In the first study (comprised of four replicate experiments), liver slices treated with aflatoxin B1 at 0, 120, 240, and 480 ng/ ml were incubated in the presence and absence of aflatoxin B2 at 120 ng/ ml. In the second study, liver slices were treated with the sam e concentrations of B1 incubated in the presence and absence of aflatoxin G1 at 120 ng/ m l (comprised of four replicate experim ents) or at 240 ng/ ml (comprised of two replicate experim ents). In the third study (single experim ent), isolated hepatocytes were treated with aflatoxin B1 at 0, 60, 120, 240, and 480 ng/ ml in the presence and absence of aflatoxin G1 at 120 ng/ m l. Leakage of lactic acid...