title: Effects of Fusarium moniliforme and corn associated with equine leukoencephalomalacia on rat neurotransmitters and metabolites.
abstract: Fusarium moniliforme (FM) is associated with equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) and hepatotoxicities in horses and rats. The neurochemical effects of ELEM-associated corn naturally infected with FM and FM strain MRC 826 were studied in rats. Increases in brain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA, major metabolite of serotonin, 5-HT) and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios were observed in rats fed the ELEM-FM corn. These rats had reduced body weights (17%, P less than 0.01) and increased brain weight/body weight ratios (14%, P less than 0.01) as compared with controls that were fed commercial corn. Rats fed a rodent chow supplemented (16%, w/w) with corn cultures of FM (MRC 826) had brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA increased (11% and 60%, P less than 0.01, respectively). At 20% FM (MRC 826)-chow diet, the 5-HIAA levels were increased (18%, P less than 0.01). In both the 16% and 20% diets, brain 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios were increased (45%, P less than 0.01 and 10%, P less than 0.05), body weights reduced (30% and 18%, P less than 0.01) and brain weight/body weight ratios increased (40% and 16%, P less than 0.01), respectively. The incidences of microscopic liver lesions (particularly bile duct proliferations, hepatocellular hyperplasia, and focal necrosis) were consistent with rats fed the FM contaminated and FM-fortified diets. These results suggest a possible FM (ELEM-associated)-induced dysfunction in either 5-HT metabolism or 5-HIAA elimination in rat brains.
authors.affiliation: Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Athens, Georgia 30613.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Bacon
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Norred
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005516:Food Microbiology; D037341:Fumonisins; D005670:Fusarium / Q000502:physiology*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D003313:Zea mays
chemical_list: D037341:Fumonisins; D009183:Mycotoxins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C056934:fumonisin B2; C056933:fumonisin B1