Aflatoxin B1 Albumin Adducts in Plasma and Aflatoxin M1 in Urine are Associated with Plasma Concentrations of Vitamins A and E

F. A. Obuseh
Pauline E. Jolly, University of Alabama – Birmingham
Yi Jiang, University of Alabama - Birmingham
F. M. Shuaib
J. Waterbor
William O. Ellis, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
C. J. Piyathilake
R. A. Desmond
Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Georgia Southern University
Timothy D. Phillips, Texas A & M University - College Station

This is an Accepted Author Manuscript obtained from PMC. The publisher's final edited version of this article is available at International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research.

Abstract

Background

Although aflatoxin exposure has been shown to be associated with micronutrient deficiency in animals, there are few investigations on the effects of aflatoxin exposure on micronutrient metabolism in humans.

Objective

To examine the relationship between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) albumin adducts (AF-ALB) in plasma and the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) metabolite in urine and plasma concentrations of retinol (vitamin A) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) in Ghanaians.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 147 adult participants was conducted. Blood and urine samples were tested for aflatoxin and vitamins A and E levels.

Results

Multivariable analysis showed that participants with high AF-ALB (≥ 0.80 pmol/mg albumin) had increased odds of having vitamin A deficiency compared to those with lower AF-ALB [Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.61; CI = 1.03 – 6.58; p=0.04]. Participants with high AF-ALB also showed increased odds of having vitamin E deficiency but this was not statistically significant (OR = 2.4; CI = 0.96–6.05; p = 0.06). Conversely, those with higher AFM1 values had a statistically nonsignificant reduced odds of having vitamin A deficiency (OR = 0.31; CI = 1.15–0.09; p=0.05) and statistically significant reduced odds of having vitamin E deficiency (OR = 0.31; CI = 0.10 – 0.97; p = 0.04). Participants with high AF-ALB or high AFM1 (≥ 437.95 pg/dL creatinine) were almost 6 times more likely to be hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg)- positive (OR = 5.88; CI = 1.71–20.14; p = 0.005) and (OR = 5.84; CI = 1.15–29.54; p = 0.03) respectively.

Conclusions

These data indicate that aflatoxin may modify plasma micronutrient status. Thus, preventing aflatoxin exposure may greatly reduce vitamins A and E deficiencies.