Dietary vegetable choline improves hepatic health of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed aflatoxin-contaminated diet.

ABSTRACT

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most important mycotoxins due to its hepatotoxic and carcinogenic effects on animals. The effect of dietary supplementation with vegetable choline (VC) at 400, 800, and 1200 mg/kg against the deleterious effects of AFB1 (2 ppm/kg diet) in the liver of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was studied. The experimental period was 81 days, and the diet with VC was offered to the fish for 60 days prior to challenge with AFB1. Diets with AFB1 were tested in three replications and animals were analyzed at days 14 and 21 of dietary intake. The addition of VC to tilapia diet increased body weight (days 30 and 60 pre-challenge and day 21 post-challenge). The group fed aflatoxin-contaminated diet presented significantly reduced antioxidant enzymes and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) levels, and protein carbonyl (PC) content in the liver. Dietary supplementation with VC at 800 and 1200 mg/kg demonstrated a significant protective effect, avoiding the increase of ROS, TBARS, and PC levels in the liver of tilapia from the aflatoxin contaminated groups. Thus, dietary VC supplementation may be used in tilapia to increase antioxidant status and reduce the negative effects caused by AFB1 toxicity. Based on the findings, it is recommended to use VC as a food supplement for Nile tilapia in order to avoid AFB1 toxication. In addition, decreased aflatoxin toxicity can be attributed to the VC antioxidant property.