Melatonin‐Zinc MOFs Antimycotic, Molecular, and Antioxidant Protective Effects of Hepatic, Renal, and Testicular Dysfunctions Induced by Aflatoxin B1 in Rats

Aflatoxin B1 causes renal, hepatic, and reproductive disorders. To investigate the protective effects of melatonin-zinc metal-organic frameworks (Mt-Zn-MOFs) nanoparticles against renal, hepatic, and reproductive toxicity induced by aflatoxins B1, male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 40) were equally divided into control, Mt-Zn-MOFs, aflatoxins, and Mt-Zn-MOFs + aflatoxins groups. Blood and tissue samples were collected from the livers, kidneys, and testicles. Luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, estradiol (E2), interleukin-β (IL-β), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidants (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), AST, ALT, and creatinine were measured. Hepatic DNA fragmentation and the expression of CRAT, CYP39A1, and JunB genes were determined. Mt-Zn-MOFs have more antimycotic effects against A. flavus than A. parasiticus, with MIC and MFC of 3.125 and 6.25 mg/mL for A. flavus and 12.5 and 25 mg/mL for A. parasiticus, and 6.25 mg/mL inhibited A. flavus and A. parasiticus sporulation. Mt-Zn-MOFs rats had high (p < 0.001) testosterone, LH, E2, glucose, but low (p < 0.01) SOD, total proteins, albumin, globulin, AST, and ALT, compared to controls. Mt-Zn-MOFs-aflatoxin group had lower (p < 0.01) LH, SOD, GPx, total proteins, globulin, glucose, TGF-β (p < 0.022), DNA fragmentation, and the expressions of JunB, CYP39A1, and CRAT, but high (p < 0.01) NO, CAT, and total cholesterol than aflatoxin-treated rats. Mt-Zn-MOFs protected the liver, kidney, and spermatogenesis to a large extent. Mt-Zn-MOFs maintained normal testicular, hepatic, and renal histopathology in the aflatoxin treatment. Regardless, aflatoxin caused severe renal toxicity, Mt-Zn-MOFs reversed the effects of toxins and restored their normality, and are recommended to treat aflatoxicosis and mycotic infections.