Abstract
T-2 toxin (0, 2 and 4mg/kg/day) was orally administered to mice for up to 56 consecutive days to examine the effect of T-2 toxin on hepatocyte proliferation under physiological condition and to clarify the characteristics of subacute hepatotoxicity of T-2 toxin. Immunohistochemical staining for BrdU revealed that the number of BrdU-positive hepatocytes was lower in the T-2 toxin-treated groups than in the control, and this indicates that T-2 toxin depressed hepatocyte proliferation under physiological condition. Biochemical and electron microscopical examinations revealed that the subacute hepatotoxicity of T-2 toxin was characterized by depression of protein synthesis and its related changes such as lipid accumulation in hepatocytes.
