Carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin B1 among wheat handlers.
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.
['Saad-Hussein|Amal|A|', 'Taha|Mona M|MM|', 'Beshir|Safia|S|', 'Shahy|Eman M|EM|', 'Shaheen|Weam|W|', 'Elhamshary|Mohamed|M|']
D000328:Adult D016604:Aflatoxin B1 D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004534:Egypt D005511:Food Handling D006801:Humans D008113:Liver Neoplasms D008875:Middle Aged D009784:Occupational Diseases D016273:Occupational Exposure D011042:Poisons D014908:Triticum
Arginase Aflatoxin B1, Alpha-fetoprotein, Alpha-l-fucosidase, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Wheat handlers,