title: Influence of dietary protein and vitamin B12 on the toxicity and carcinogenicity of aflatoxins in rat liver.
abstract: The influence of dietary protein content and dietary vitamin B12 supplement on the hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity of aflatoxin in rat liver was studied. In animals fed a low-protein diet, aflatoxin induced extensive toxic and carcinogenic effects. Cirrhosis was significantly prevented to a certain level by vitamin B12 administration, but the incidence of cholangiofibrosis and hyperplastic nodules was unchanged. No toxic effect was observed in animals receiving high-protein diet with no vitamin B12 supplement in this study (33 weeks). Only one rat bearing a hepatoma was observed in this group. However, hepatoma and hyperplastic nodules were found in the group receiving high-protein diet plus vitamin B12. Cholangiofibrosis and cirrhosis were not observed in the high-protein group regardless of vitamin B12 administration.
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000209:etiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000209:etiology; D051381:Rats; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014805:Vitamin B 12