Vitamin A downregulating Bcl-2 and TGF-α expression during colon cancer in AFB1-induced female rats

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic and is usually predominant. Aflatoxins are not only contaminate our food stuffs, but also are found in edible tissues, milk and eggs. The present study designated to clarify the immunomodulatory effect of vitamin A and if it could ameliorate the cancerous effects of AFB1 on histopathological, ultrastucture and immunohistochemical changes of rat colon. Group (I): Animals of this group was normal control. Group (II): Rats of this group were orally administered vehicle 50 % dimethylsulfoxide. While, animals in Group (III) were administered 132 IU Vitamin A, and rats in Group (IV) were administered 0.05 μg/kg AFB1 dissolved in 50 % dimethylsulfoxide for 14 weeks. Group (V): Animals of this group were administered AFB1 with Vitamin A. AFB1 administration caused colon damage characterized by aberrant crypt foci, which authenticated with the increase in mucous production, Bcl-2 and TGF-α expression. The immunological effect of vitamin A appeared in the improved histological picture of the colon tissue and the decrease in Bcl-2 and TGF-α expression. This is the first study to report the immunomodulatory effect of vitamin A on Bcl-2 and TGF-α in AFB1-induced colon cancer