Acute toxicity of aflatoxin B1 in monkeys

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of aflatoxin B₁ in monkeys (Macaca irus). The single oral LD50 was 2.2 mg/kg. Antemortem elevations in the serum concentrations of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and isocitric dehydrogenase were indicative of the effect of aflatoxin B₁ on the liver. The latency required for both discernible and maximal changes in these parameters to occur suggests that the hepatotoxic activity of aflatoxin is delayed but persistent. The concentration of serum cholesterol was decreased. The prominent gross pathologic and histopathologic changes in the liver were hemorrhage, necrosis, and massive accumulation of lipid. It is concluded that the syndrome of acute aflatoxin B₁ poisoning in primates is essentially like that in other species.