Polymorphism of the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene, red meat intake, and the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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.
Huang
Yi-Shin
YS
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chern
Herng-Der
HD
Wu
Jaw-Ching
JC
Chao
Yee
Y
Huang
Yi-Hsiang
YH
Chang
Full-Young
FY
Lee
Shou-Dong
SD
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*
D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; C478900:NAT2 protein, human