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Review
. 2021 Dec 2;26(23):7312.
doi: 10.3390/molecules26237312.

Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Aflatoxin B1: A Review

João Victor Batista da Silva  1 , Carlos Augusto Fernandes de Oliveira  2 , Leandra Náira Zambelli Ramalho  1
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Aflatoxin B1: A Review

João Victor Batista da Silva et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced as secondary fungal metabolites. Among them, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) stands out due to its genotoxic and mutagenic potential, being a potent initiator of carcinogenesis. In this review, the outcomes from the published literature in the past 10 years on the effects of AFB1 pathophysiological mechanisms on embryological and fetal development are discussed. In several animal species, including humans, AFB1 has a teratogenic effect, resulting in bone malformations, visceral anomalies, lesions in several organs, and behavioral and reproductive changes, in addition to low birth weight. The mutagenic capacity of AFB1 in prenatal life is greater than in adults, indicating that when exposure occurs in the womb, the risk of the development of neoplasms is higher. Studies conducted in humans indicate that the exposure to this mycotoxin during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight, decreased head circumference, and DNA hypermethylation. However, as the actual impacts on humans are still unclear, the importance of this issue cannot be overemphasized and studies on the matter are essential.

Keywords: aflatoxins; carcinogenicity; mutagenicity; prenatal exposure; teratogenicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest relevant to this review.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Main metabolization pathways of aflatoxin B1 in the liver, its metabolites, and excretion pathways.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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