Effect of Aflatoxin B1 - contaminated feed on goat erythrocyte membrane calcium adenosine triphosphatase in vitro

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 2, a food/feed contaminant in the tropics, stimulated the activity of goat erythrocyte membrane ion motive calcium adenosine triphosphatase (Ca-ATPase). The stimulatory action was concentration-dependent, typical of a saturation kinetic effect. The degree of stimulation varied from 20% to more than 90% between the lowest (0.1 M) and highest (1000 M) contentrations. AFB1 induced changes in the apparent kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax, of the erythrocyte membrane-bound enzyme. This could affect erythrocyte structure, and thus, the erythrocyte function in oxygen and delivery to the cells.

Keywords: Aflatoxin B1, goat, erythrocyte membrane, Ca-ATPase