title: Polymorphism of the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene, red meat intake, and the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Carcinogenic aromatic amines, derived from cooked meat, are activated or inactivated by hepatic N-acetyltransferase (NAT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of NAT2 genetic polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with special reference to the interaction of dietary habits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral white blood cell DNA from 185 HCC patients and 185 matched controls were genotyped for NAT2 by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. All the subjects studied were chronic viral hepatitis B or C carriers with liver cirrhosis. Dietary habits of the subjects were assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no association between the susceptibility of HCC and the overall NAT2 genotypes. However, in rapid acetylators (with two wild type NAT2*4 alleles), there was a trend of increased HCC risk from low to intermediate and high red meat intake (OR = 1, 2.66, 3.89; p(trend) = 0.016), even when adjusted for family history of HCC and habitual alcohol drinking. The interaction between red meat intake and the NAT2*4 acetylator status for an increased risk of HCC was significant (p = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polymorphisms of the NAT2 gene may confer different susceptibilities to the effect of red meat intake on HCC. In rapid acetylators with chronic viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis, red meat intake may play a role in hepatocarcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Shin
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Herng-Der
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Chern
authors.forename: Jaw-Ching
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Yi-Hsiang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Full-Young
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shou-Dong
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D002353:Carrier State; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; C478900:NAT2 protein, human