Twenty New-Zealand white rabbits about 6-8 weeks of age were housed individually in metal cages. All animals were house-caged in a temperature controlled and artificially illuminated room (12 hrs./light/dark cycles). The rabbits were maintained on a standard basal diet and tested for aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin- A (OTA), CIT and fumonisin B1by using HPTLC before the experiment. Rabbits were randomly distributed into four groups of each five rabbits treated as follows: Group I was given a diet containing 0.75 mg OTA/kg feed, group II was given selenium preparation in the sodium selenite/kg body weight, group III as given both selenium and OTA and group IV was fed a standard mycotoxins free basal diet.
Blood samples were collected from each rabbit via ear vein after one week from experiment. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) were isolated by using Histopaque. Serum samples were collected from each rabbit at 20th day at the end of experiment. The Comate assay was done for observation of DNA fragment migration patterns using fluorescent microscope. Also applied Lymphocyte Transformation Test (LTT), Polymorph nuclear (PMN) cells, Interlukin-6, TNF-α and IL-12 by using ELISA test.
The present study induced significant elevation of IL12, IL6 and TNF-x of rabbit serum. Selenium treated group with OTA reduces the cytokines in compare with OTA treated group. Also gp.II didn't record any significant alteration in the level of cytokines in compare with control group. OTA treated group reduced phagocytosis%, killing% and LSI while selenium treated group significantly augment phagocytosis%, killing% and LSI compare with control group. OTA produce significant increase of DNA damage as estimated tailed cell%, Tail length, DNA% and Tail moment. On the other hand, selenium treated group with OTA shows diminish significantly DNA damage in compare with OTA treated group.
The present study concluded that the administration of selenium able to reduce the immunosuppressive and cytotoxic effects of ochratoxin-A.