title: Aflatoxin and PAH exposure biomarkers in a U.S. population with a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is significantly elevated in a Hispanic community in Bexar County, Texas. Chronic exposure to dietary aflatoxins (AFs) is a major risk factor for HCC; increased risk has been linked to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) co-exposure and hepatitis virus infection. The aims of this study were to assess AF and PAH exposures, investigate dietary factors that may contribute to increased AF exposure, and determine the prevalence of hepatitis virus infection in Bexar Co. Blood and urine samples were collected from 184 volunteers for biomarker analyses and hepatitis screening. Serum AFB(1)-lysine adduct, urinary AFM(1) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The average AFB(1)-lysine adduct level detected in 20.6% of serums was 3.84 ± 3.11 pg/mg albumin (range 1.01-16.57 pg/mg). AFM(1) was detected in 11.7% of urines, averaging 223.85 ± 250.56 pg/mg creatinine (range 1.89-935.49 pg/mg). AFM(1) detection was associated with increased consumption of corn tortillas (p=0.009), nuts (p=0.033) and rice (p=0.037). A significant difference was observed between mean 1-OHP values of non-smokers (0.07 ± 0.13) and smokers (0.80 ± 0.68) μmol/mol creatinine (p<0.01). A high hepatitis C virus positivity rate (7.1%) was observed. Findings suggest that the incidence and level of AF and PAH exposure were less than those observed in a high-risk population; however, participants consuming higher amounts of foods prone to AF contamination may be more vulnerable to exposure and interactions with other environmental/biological factors (i.e., HCV).
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Guoqing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tietze
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marroquin-Cardona
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wittmer
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Kirby C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Jonathan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Jia-Sheng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Timothy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008239:Lysine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000378:metabolism; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011721:Pyrenes; C066451:aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct; D016604:Aflatoxin B1; D003404:Creatinine; D008239:Lysine; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene