Histomorphological assessment of T-2 toxin, ochratoxin A, and aflatoxin B1-induced renal damage in a rat model

Anna  Grigoryan; Tamara  Abgaryan; Ruzanna  Shushanyan; Ruzanna  Adamyan; Marieta  Mkhitaryan; Lyudmila  Niazyan; Anna Karapetyan

doi:10.31450/ukrjnd.2(86).2025.02

Anna Grigoryan Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia; Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8276-3831
Tamara Abgaryan Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia; Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4159-2725
Ruzanna Shushanyan Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia; Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9163-6682
Ruzanna Adamyan Department of Botany and Mycology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0176-7252
Marieta Mkhitaryan Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia
Lyudmila Niazyan Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1899-5862
Anna Karapetyan Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia; Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31450/ukrjnd.2(86).2025.02

Keywords: aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, mast cells, nephrotoxicity, food contamination.

Abstract

Fungal toxins are a prevalent cause of food contamination and can induce pathological changes in various organs of both humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the histomorphological changes and immune response in rat kidneys exposed to aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and T-2 toxin.

Methods. A total of 44 albino rats were used, divided into four groups: three groups receiving different doses of toxins (24 mg/kg of aflatoxin B1, 64 mg/kg of ochratoxin A, and 25 mg/kg of T-2 toxin) for 20 days. Kidney samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and picrofuchsin along with the Giemsa and May-Grünwald solutions.

Results. Histopathological analysis revealed specific changes, including vacuolization, necrosis with hemorrhagic foci, pyknosis, and inflammation in the renal tissue. A significant increase in mast cells and degenerative changes in renal tubular epithelial cells were also observed.

Conclusions. These findings suggest that ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 are potent nephrotoxins, causing severe damage to renal epithelial cells and their nuclei, while the T-2 toxin had a relatively less pronounced effect. This study highlights the detrimental effects of mycotoxins on kidney tissue, underscoring the need for further research on their prevention and mitigation to ensure food safety.

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