Effect of feeding alfalfa and refined plant fibers on the toxicity and metabolism of T-2 toxin in rats.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary fibers on T-2 toxicosis in rats. Weanling rats were fed varying levels of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin with and without T-2 toxin (3 micrograms/g feed) for 2 weeks. Only lignin showed promise of overcoming feed refusal and growth depression in animals fed T-2 toxin. Further experiments feeding alfalfa meal (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25%) with and without T-2 toxin indicated that this lignin-rich feedstuff could largely overcome feed refusal and growth depression caused by the toxin. There was no effect of diet, however, on the activity of hepatic esterase, the enzyme believed to catabolize T-2 toxin. Rats were fed diets containing 0, 5, 12.5 or 20% alfalfa for 2 weeks and then dosed orally with [3H]T-2 toxin. Dietary alfalfa increased fecal excretion of 3H, whereas urinary excretion was unaffected. Residual 3H in kidney and muscle was reduced with alfalfa feeding when [3H]T-2 toxin was administered orally. Residual 3H in the digesta in the intestinal lumen increased. Alfalfa feeding was found to reduce intestinal transit time. It was concluded that the feeding of alfalfa reduced T-2 toxicosis in rats by binding the toxin in the intestinal lumen thereby promoting fecal excretion.