Fusarium graminearum is a fungus frequently isolated from cereal grains. This study investigates the histopathological effects of dietary F. graminearum on rat liver. Treatment and control group rats were fed F. graminearum-inoculated and non-inoculated rice, respectively. After 14 days, all rats were sacrificed, and their livers analysed by electron and light microscopy. Electron microscopy of treatment group livers identified hepatocytes with well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, swollen mitochondria, lipid accumulation, numerous vesicles containing electron-lucent materials and increased lysosomes. Many Kupffer's cells containing apoptotic bodies were also seen. Light microscopy identified hepatocytes from the treatment group with: cytoplasmic and nuclear pleomorphism; foci of necrosis; mononuclear cell infiltration; and presence of apoptotic bodies. These changes were absent in control rat livers indicating that dietary F. graminearum causes inflammation and parenchymal damage in the rat liver. This is the first histopathological study showing the association between F. graminearum and liver damage.
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