# Biomarkers of Fumonisin Exposure in Pigs Fed the Maximum Recommended Level in Europe

## TL;DR

The study examines how fumonisin exposure affects pigs, identifying specific biomarkers in tissues like liver and kidneys.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel sphingolipid biomarkers and their changes in pigs exposed to fumonisins at EU-recommended levels.

## Key findings

- Plasma Sa1P:So1P ratio increased in pigs fed fumonisin diets after 14 days.
- FB1 concentrations in liver and kidney tissues increased with exposure duration.
- C16 ceramide levels decreased in multiple tissues, but AlgoClay partially reversed these effects.

## Abstract

This study investigated biomarkers of fumonisin exposure in pigs fed diets contaminated with fumonisins at the European Union’s maximum recommended level. Pigs were assigned to either a fumonisin (FB) diet or a fumonisin plus AlgoClay (FB + AC) diet for durations of 4, 9, and 14 days. At 14 days, the plasma Sa1P:So1P ratio increased in pigs fed the FB diet, while the Sa:So ratio remained unchanged. In the liver, FB1 was detected at four days of exposure, with the concentration tending to increase through day 14. The Sa:So and C22-24:C16 ratios of 18:1-, 18:2-, and m18:1-ceramides were elevated at 9 and 14 days, respectively. In the kidneys, FB1 was only detectable at 14 days, and the Sa:So and C22-24:C16 ratios of 18:1-ceramides were increased. In both the liver and kidneys, the increase in the C22-24:C16 ratio was attributed to a reduction of C16 ceramides. In the lungs, no FB1 was detected; however, the Sa:So and Sa1P:So1P ratios increased, and C16 ceramide concentrations decreased at 14 days. Feeding the pigs the FB + AC diet resulted in a reduction of the FB1 tissue-to-feed ratio in the liver and kidneys but did not affect the Sa:So or Sa1P:So1P ratios. Interestingly, the decreases in C16 ceramides observed in the FB diet group were no longer detectable in the FB + AC group. Overall, these findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between FB1 tissue concentrations and sphingolipid changes, suggesting that a comprehensive analysis of multiple biomarkers is required to fully understand fumonisin’s effects.