Relationships between the synthesis of N-nitrosodimethylamine and immune responses to chronic infection with the carcinogenic parasite, Opisthorchis viverrini, in men.

This study investigated the relationship between immune responses to infection with the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, and the synthesis of the carcinogen, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in humans. It also examined associations between synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrosation of amines, in vivo. Antibody and T cell responses to fluke antigens and post-alcohol urinary NDMA excretion were assessed among three groups of 40-50 men with no, moderate and heavy liver fluke infection. Markers of NO synthesis (nitrate, nitrite) and nitrosation (nitrosamino acids) were also measured in biological fluids. Assessments were carried out under controlled conditions which minimised intake of exogenous nitrate and nitrite and were carried out at two time points, namely before and 4 months after elimination of the infection with praziquantel treatment. No statistically significant variation was observed in the amount of NDMA excreted between the 3 groups. However, during active infection, a strong negative association was observed between in vitro lymphoproliferative responses to some liver fluke antigens and NDMA excretion. After treatment this association was reduced. Multivariate statistical models revealed a highly significant relationship between NDMA levels and urinary nitrate, stimulation indices for two T cell responses to two parasite antigens (MW 37 kDa and 110 kDa) and gall bladder dimensions. NDMA levels after treatment were best described by the ratio between parasite-specific IgG2 and IgE, background levels of T cell proliferation, a urinary marker of nitrosation (N-nitrosothioproline) and usual level of alcohol consumption. These results suggest that individual background immunologic activity, parasite-specific responses and/or parasite products and NO synthesis are important determinants of endogenous generation of nitrosamines in O. viverrini-infected humans.