Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A022
Published online: 22 April 2026
TP53 Mediated Molecular Pathways of aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxicity: implication on hepatoprotection
Athul P. Kurian*, Paweł Grychnik, Krzysztof Kowal, Kaja Ziółkowska-Twarowska, Angelika Tkaczyk-Wlizło and Brygida Ślaska
Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Fisheries, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: athul.kurian@up.edu.pl
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic mycotoxin that causes hepatotoxicity by causing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptotic activation. TP53 (Tumour protein p53) is a tumour suppressor protein that plays a central role in the regulation of cellular responses to genotoxic stress, integrating DNA repair, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. There is growing evidence that the liver injury induced by AFB1 is associated with the activation of TP53 and the subsequent regulation of pro and anti-apoptotic genes, such as BCL-2 (B-Cell lymphoma 2), BAX (BCL-2 associated X protein) and caspases. This review highlights the existing information on TP53-regulated nuclear signalling pathways in the AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity with special emphasis on the mechanisms of apoptosis. Moreover, new hepatoprotective approaches to the TP53 signalling pathways, such as antioxidant and phytogenic treatment, are considered. Knowledge of TP53-centred molecular pathways provides mechanistic insight into AFB1-induced liver damage and help identify molecular targets for developing effective hepatoprotective interventions.
Keywords: Aflatoxin B1; hepatotoxicity; hepatoprotection; TP53
How to cite
Kurian A.P., Grychnik P., Kowal K., Ziółkowska-Twarowska K., Tkaczyk-Wlizło A., Ślaska B., 2026. TP53 Mediated Molecular Pathways of aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxicity: implication on hepatoprotection. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A022