Aflatoxin induced inhibition of protein synthesis

The effect of aflatoxins B₁, G₁ and M₁ on protein synthesis in rat liver was studied. Wistar rats (80–100 g body weight) were injected i.p. with aflatoxins B₁, G₁ and M₁ (6, 12 and 6 mg/kg) respectively dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and were sacrificed 24 hr after dosing. Aflatoxins B₁ and M₁ but not G₁, inhibited in vivo protein synthesis. Aflatoxins M₁ G₁, but not B₁ inhibited in vitro mitochondrial protein synthesis, whereas both B₁ and M₁ inhibited cytoplasmic protein synthesis.