Vitamin U Attenuates Acute Aflatoxin B1-Induced Liver Injury in Mice: Biochemical, Histological and Transcriptomic Evidence

作者：Liyu Yang, J Liu, Xi Zhang, Yake Wang, Shufan Liu, Chenxi Ling, X Li, K Y Liu, Yong Huo, Guangwei Zhao, Qiuliang Xu, Hongyu Deng, Congcong Li · 发表于：Veterinary Sciences · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.3390/vetsci13070621 · 研究领域：Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food、Silymarin and Mushroom Poisoning、Phytochemical Studies and Bioactivities

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) causes acute liver injury in livestock. This study evaluated whether Vitamin U could alleviate AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. AFB1 (3 mg/kg) reduced PLT, PCT, and EOS counts, caused hepatic vascular congestion, and decreased GSH-Px activity. Vitamin U (50 mg/kg) significantly improved these hematological parameters, alleviated central venous and sinusoidal congestion, increased T-SOD activity and upregulated IL-10 mRNA expression. However, Vitamin U did not significantly reverse AFB1-induced elevation of ALP or reduction in GSH-Px, nor did it affect ALT, AST, or protein levels of the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway. Transcriptomic analysis revealed enrichment of DEGs in immune- and cell cycle-related pathways, with no direct enrichment observed in the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway. Vitamin U upregulated Keap1 mRNA expression but did not alter KEAP1 protein levels. In conclusion, Vitamin U partially protects against AFB1-induced acute liver injury by ameliorating thrombocytopenia, vascular congestion, enhancing T-SOD activity, and upregulating IL-10 expression, providing preliminary experimental evidence for further investigation.