Alteration of some toxic aflatoxin responses in Syrian hamsters fed zinc carbonate-supplemented diets

Chronic exposure to aflatoxins (AFTs) below the LD sub(50) can result in reduced weight gain, hepatocellular necrosis and bile duct cell proliferation. Here, the authors report whether dietary zinc (Zn super(2+)) protects against both aflatoxicosis and precancer in male weanling hamster fed either 14.6 mg/kg AFTs, 3000 mg/kg zinc carbonate, or both for 17 weeks. The AFTs (either alone or with Zn super(2+)) reduced weight gains but not feed consumption. Whereas controls possessed 172.7 plus or minus 21.7 mg/100 ml plasma glucose, the AFTs and Zn super(2+) Group's had 132.1 plus or minus 19.5 and 122.7 mg/100 ml, respectively.