BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that serum aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin and contributor to the high rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevalence of liver cancer in Egypt is particularly worrisome. In a registry-based analysis of occupational risk for HCC, significant excesses were observed especially for grain mill workers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the hepatic carcinogenicity of AFB1 in wheat handlers. METHODS: Serum AFB1/albumin (AFB1/Alb), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha-l-fucosidase (AFU), and arginase were estimated in exposed wheat handlers including millers and bakers. The control group was composed of non-occupationally exposed workers. RESULTS: AFB1/Alb and AFU were significantly higher among workers employed as bakers compared to mill workers and controls. Mill workers had higher levels of AFB1/Alb than the controls. AFB1/Alb, AFP, and AFU were all significantly higher and arginase was significantly lower among HCC cases compared to the other groups. There was a significant correlation between AFU and AFB1/Alb in bakers and between AFP and AFB1/Alb in HCC cases. Arginase was inversely correlated with AFB1/Alb in HCC cases. AFB1/Alb was significantly correlated with the duration of exposure in bakers. CONCLUSION: Wheat handlers exposed to Aspergillus flavus have a high risk of elevated serum AFB1/Alb levels and AFU.
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that serum aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin and contributor to the high rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevalence of liver cancer in Egypt is particularly worrisome. In a registry-based analysis of occupational risk for HCC, significant excesses were observed especially for grain mill workers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the hepatic carcinogenicity of AFB1 in wheat handlers. METHODS: Serum AFB1/albumin (AFB1/Alb), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha-l-fucosidase (AFU), and arginase were estimated in exposed wheat handlers including millers and bakers. The control group was composed of non-occupationally exposed workers. RESULTS: AFB1/Alb and AFU were significantly higher among workers employed as bakers compared to mill workers and controls. Mill workers had higher levels of AFB1/Alb than the controls. AFB1/Alb, AFP, and AFU were all significantly higher and arginase was significantly lower among HCC cases compared to the other groups. There was a significant correlation between AFU and AFB1/Alb in bakers and between AFP and AFB1/Alb in HCC cases. Arginase was inversely correlated with AFB1/Alb in HCC cases. AFB1/Alb was significantly correlated with the duration of exposure in bakers. CONCLUSION:Wheat handlers exposed to Aspergillus flavus have a high risk of elevated serum AFB1/Alb levels and AFU.
Authors: M G Giardina; M Matarazzo; R Morante; A Lucariello; A Varriale; V Guardasole; G De Marco Journal: Cancer Date: 1998-12-15 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: J S Wang; T Huang; J Su; F Liang; Z Wei; Y Liang; H Luo; S Y Kuang; G S Qian; G Sun; X He; T W Kensler; J D Groopman Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2001-02 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: J K McLaughlin; H S Malker; B K Malker; B J Stone; J L Ericsson; W J Blot; J A Weiner; J F Fraumeni Journal: Cancer Res Date: 1987-01-01 Impact factor: 12.701
Authors: Amal Saad-Hussein; Safia Beshir; Gehan Moubarz; Safaa Elserougy; Mohamed I M Ibrahim Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2013-01-28 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Amal Saad-Hussein; Eman M Shahy; Weam Shaheen; Mona M Taha; Heba Mahdy-Abdallah; Khadiga S Ibrahim; Salwa F Hafez; Nevein N Fadl; Karima A El-Shamy Journal: Open Access Maced J Med Sci Date: 2016-04-20