Effect of butylated hydroxytoluene pretreatment on the excretion, tissue distribution and DNA binding of [14C]aflatoxin B1 in the rat.

The effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) pretreatment (0.5% in the diet for 10 days) on the excretion, tissue distribution and DNA binding of orally administered [14C]aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was determined in male Fischer F344 rats. The amount of radioactivity excreted in the urine and faeces by 24 hr was higher in BHT-treated rats than in controls. Treatment with BHT enhanced the excretion of water-soluble metabolites in the urine and in the large intestines plus faeces at the earlier sampling times. The amount of radioactivity bound to hepatic nuclear DNA was six times less in the BHT-pretreated rats than in controls 6 hr after administration of the isotope. The half-lives of [14C]DNA in the rat liver were 30 and 46 hr for control and BHT-pretreated rats, respectively. These results indicate that BHT pretreatment may protect the animal from the carcinogenic effects of AFB1 by enhancing the detoxification and excretion of the mycotoxin.