Effect of dietary protein, alfalfa, and zeolite on excretory patterns of 5', 5', 7', 7'- [3H] zearalenone in rats

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Abstract
Experiments were conducted to determine how dietary protein, alfalfa or zeolite influenced excretory patterns of zearalenone (Z), a uterotropic mycotoxin synthesized by Fusarium Fungi. Rats were fed diets containing 16.3% casein, 40% casein, 11.2% casein + 25% alfalfa or 25% casein + 25% alfalfa. Also fed were diets containing 0, 1, 2 or 5% anion exchange zeolite. Tracer doses of [3H]Z were administered as a constituent of the diet or as a topical application on the skin at the base of the skull. When Z was administered orally, no differences were seen in the fraction of dose excreted in urine or feces as a result of varying dietary levels of alfalfa and protein. Topical doses resulted in rats fed 25% casein + 25% alfalfa or 40% casein excreting more Z in urine than those fed 25% alfalfa or 16.3% casein. Fecal excretion of Z was greatest for rats fed 25% casein + 25% alfalfa. Rats fed 40% casein excreted more fecal Z than those fed 16.3% casein. Feeding Z to rats receiving dietary zeolite resulted in a positive correlation between dietary zeolite and fecal excretion of Z but a negative correlation with urinary excretion of Z. Topical administration of Z produced a positive correlation between dietary zeolite and fecal Z excretion but had no effect on urinary excretion. Protein and alfalfa treatments alleviated Z toxicosis through increased metabolism. Zeolite bound Z in the digestive tract to prevent absorption.