Characterization of Serum and Urinary Zearalenone and its Metabolites (Z) and its Association with Dietary Intake

Abstract

The environmental estrogen, zearalenone (ZEA), is found in the food supply from Fusarium contamination in grains and zeranol is sometimes used as a growth promoter in beef cattle. Circulating concentrations of Z metabolites [ZEA, a‐zearalenol, zeranol, b‐zearalenol, b‐zearalanol and zearalanone] have not been previously examined in adults and could have an estrogenic effect. Our goal was to characterize the free and total Z metabolite concentrations in human serum and fasting urine samples.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis in 48 women (31‐65 years, body mass index of 25 ± 5 kg/m2). We used HPLC/MS/MS to analyze for Z metabolites and a 24‐hour food diary to assess intake.ResultsThe total (free and conjugated) Z metabolite concentration (pg/mL) was 4.34 ± 0.372x104 for urine (corrected for specific gravity) and 1.26 ± 0.875x103 for serum. The detection of urinary Z metabolites ranged from 13‐88% for free and 46‐100% for total metabolites. In serum, detection ranged from 2‐92% and 17‐100% for free and total, respectively. ZEA showed the highest detection rate of all the Z metabolites. We also examined within subject variability and found consistent values 6 weeks apart in 3 subjects. Women with highest vs lowest meat intake (10‐17 oz/d vs 0‐4 oz/d) had higher total serum Z metabolite concentrations (2.03 ± 0.930x103) compared to those with low intakes (1.09 ± 0.840x103) (p<0.05).ConclusionThere is a wide range of Z metabolites present in the serum and urine and total serum concentrations are associated with meat intake. Support:NIEHS P30ES005022 (Shapses/Buckley).