Corn Flour Intake, Aflatoxin B1 Exposure, and Risk of Esophageal Precancerous Lesions in a High-Risk Area of Huai'an, China: A Case-Control Study.

Shaokang Wang,Da Pan,Ting Zhang,Qingyang Yan,Guang Song,Guiju Sun,Jie Wei,Ming Su,Ziqi Guo,Kai Wang

doi:10.3390/toxins12050299

Shaokang Wang, Da Pan + Show 8 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12050299

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Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which has potent toxicity and carcinogenicity, is a common contaminant of important agricultural commodities. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of corn flour intake and assess the exposure to AFB1 via direct detection of AFB1 in the diet and serum AFB1 exposure biomarker, so as to evaluate their associations with the risk of esophageal precancerous lesions (EPL). A case-control study based on three-day duplicate diet samples was performed in Huai’an District. One hundred EPL cases and 100 healthy controls were enrolled and required to be age- (±2 years) and gender-matched. The concentration of AFB1 in food samples and the level of serum AFB1-albumin (AFB1-Alb) adduct were quantitatively analyzed. Results showed that corn flour intake was positively associated with serum AFB1-Alb adduct level (p for trend = 0.003), dietary AFB1 exposure (p for trend < 0.001), and the risk of EPL (p for trend = 0.017). Increased serum AFB1-Alb adduct level was associated with an increased risk of EPL as well (p for trend < 0.001). In conclusion, corn flour may be an essential source of AFB1 in Huai’an District, whereas high exposure to AFB1 is likely to be an important risk factor contributing to the progression of EPL.

Highlights

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth leading cause of death from cancer in the world, caused by many risk factors which differ by histological type, population, and region [1]
The present study, which assessed the exposure to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) via direct detection of AFB1 in diet samples and serum AFB1 exposure biomarker, confirmed the positive relationship between corn flour intake and AFB1 exposure in both diet and serum, and indicated that increased intake of corn flour and elevated level of serum AFB1 -Alb adduct were associated with a higher risk of esophageal precancerous lesions (EPL)
Corn flour intake was positively associated with serum biomarker for AFB1 (AFB1 -Alb adduct level), dietary AFB1 exposure, and the risk of EPL, while the increased level of serum AFB1 -Alb adduct, and mildew of stored grains were significantly associated with the increased risk of EPL

Summary

Introduction

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth leading cause of death from cancer in the world, caused by many risk factors which differ by histological type, population, and region [1]. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the predominant histological sub-type of EC in developing countries including. Toxins 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW lesions (EPL) for ESCC can be classified into mild, moderate, and severe esophageal squamous esophageal precancerous for ESCC with can be classified into mild, moderate, severe dysplasia, which have beenlesions found (EPL). To be associated approximately a 3-, 30-foldand higher risk esophageal squamous dysplasia, which have been found to be associated with approximately a. It was reported that 24% of mild dysplasia, 50% of moderate dysplasia, 10-, higher risk ofwould. ESCC during a 3.5-year [4]. ESCC than normal [2,3,4].

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