Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a harmful mycotoxin produced by certain fungi and commonly found in staple foods like rice, corn, wheat, and nuts. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), mycotoxin contamination affects up to 25% of global crop production. Aflatoxins are the most common mycotoxins, with AFB1 being the most toxic. Classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, AFB1 is more than 68 times more toxic than arsenic. Exposure to AFB1 has been linked to serious health issues, including liver cancer, impaired growth, malnutrition, and weakened immune function. While scientists understand some of the ways AFB1 contributes to cancer, its broader effects on metabolism remain unclear. Pinpointing the specific biological pathways it disrupts could help researchers develop better strategies to reduce its harmful impact.
To explore these effects, scientists at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) in the Sumner and Rushing laboratories, recently studied how AFB1 alters metabolism in different types of cells. Researchers treated liver, breast, and lung cells with AFB1 and analyzed how their metabolism changed compared to untreated cells. Using advanced techniques, they identified nearly 15,000 different metabolites—small molecules involved in cellular function—and mapped the shifts in metabolic pathways.
The results revealed significant changes across all three cell types, though some effects were unique to specific cells. Notably, AFB1 consistently disrupted lipid metabolism—the process of breaking down and using fats—and catecholamine metabolism, which affects stress responses and neurotransmitters. Since lipid metabolism is closely linked to cancer development, particularly in the liver and lungs, these findings suggest key pathways that could be targeted to prevent or treat diseases associated with AFB1 exposure.
By identifying the metabolic disruptions caused by AFB1, this research brings scientists one step closer to developing interventions that could protect people from its harmful effects.
Heidi Cao, the first author of this publication, integrated this project into her honors thesis through NRI’s partnership with UNC’s BSPH program, a contribution that helped her earn a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree with honors. Other authors include Sabrina Molina, Assistant Laboratory Manager in the Sumner lab; Susan Sumner, PhD, Professor of Nutrition; and Blake Rushing, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nutrition.
Cao HH, Molina S, Sumner S, Rushing BR (2025). “An untargeted metabolomic analysis of acute AFB1 treatment in liver, breast, and lung cells.” PLoS One. 2025 Jan 30; 20(1):e0313159. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313159.