Fumonisin B₁ induced neural tube defects were not increased in LM/Bc mice fed folate-deficient diet.

Abstract

SCOPE:

Fumonisin B1 (FB1 ) is found in corn-based foods and is a possible risk factor for neural tube defects (NTDs). The mechanism(s) underlying NTD induction by FB1 in LM/Bc mice is not understood; however, evidence suggests disrupted folate transport is involved.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Female LM/Bc mice were fed folate-sufficient (control) or folate-deficient diet beginning 5 wk before mating, treated with 0 (vehicle), 2.5 or 10 mg/kg FB1 by intraperitoneal injection on embryonic days 7 (E7) and E8, and their fetuses examined on E16. Dose-dependent NTD induction was found in groups fed the control diet: 3 of 13 low-dose and 10 of 11 high-dose litters were affected. Among groups fed folate-deficient diet, NTDs were found only in 4 of 11 high-dose litters. In another trial, consumption of folate-deficient diet also resulted in fewer NTDs at a dose of 10 mg/kg FB1 and reduced maternal red blood cell folate levels by 80%. In utero death did not fully account for the differences in NTD rates.

CONCLUSION:

Folate deficiency does not exacerbate NTD induction by FB1 in LM/Bc mice. Interactions between folate, other nutritional factors, and FB1 in this mouse model for NTDs are complex and require further investigation.

• Authors: Kenneth A Voss, Ronald T Riley, Janee Gelineau-van Waes
• Journal: Molecular nutrition & food research (Mol Nutr Food Res) Vol. 58 Issue 6 Pg. 1190-8 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1613-4133 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 24585430 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Chemical References

• Fumonisins
• fumonisin B1
• Folic Acid

Topics

• Animals
• Diet
• Disease Models, Animal
• Erythrocytes (chemistry)
• Female
• Folic Acid (administration & dosage, blood)
• Folic Acid Deficiency (pathology)
• Fumonisins (toxicity)
• Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Neural Tube Defects (chemically induced, pathology)