Aflatoxin–albumin adducts and correlation with decreased serum levels of vitamins A and E in an adult Ghanaian population

Abstract

A study of aflatoxin (AF) exposure and the levels of vitamins A and E was carried out with a group of 507 Ghanaian participants. AFB₁–albumin adducts (AFB-AA) were measured by radioimmunoassay and vitamins A and E were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The average level of serum AFB-AA was 0.94 ± 0.64 (range = 0.1–4.44) pmol mg⁻¹ albumin. Mean levels of vitamins A and E were 1.32 ± 0.48 (range = 0.41–4.85) µmol l⁻¹ and 15.68 ± 4.12 (range = 6.35–30.40) µmol l⁻¹, respectively. A significantly negative correlation was found between serum AFB-AA and vitamin A levels (r = −0.110, p = 0.013). An even stronger, significant negative, correlation was found between serum AFB-AA and vitamin E levels (r = −0.149, p < 0.001). Serum AFB-AA levels were statistically higher (median = 0.985 pmol mg⁻¹ albumin) in subjects who had low levels of both vitamins A and E as compared with the levels (median = 0.741 pmol mg⁻¹ albumin) subjects who had high vitamins A and E levels (p _trend = 0.001). To verify these findings, blood samples were again collected from 165 of the 507 people 3 months after the initial collection. Significantly negative correlations were confirmed between levels of serum AFB-AA and both vitamins A (r = −0.232, p = 0.003) and E (r = −0.178, p = 0.023). Again, high serum AFB-AA concentrations (median = 1.578 pmol mg⁻¹ albumin) were found in subjects with low levels of vitamins A and E compared with the concentrations (median = 1.381 pmol mg⁻¹ albumin) in subjects with high levels of vitamins A and E (p _trend = 0.002). These data show that AF exposure was associated with decreased levels of serum vitamins A and E in high-risk human populations, which may significantly influence the incidence of AF-related adverse health effects.

Keywords:

• aflatoxins
• aflatoxin-albumin adducts
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Ghanaian

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their appreciation to the District Health Director, Dr Amponsah-Achiano, the on-site physicians, technicians, and other health personnel at the Ejura District Hospital for their assistance in this study. Special thanks to the volunteers and study subjects whose participation made this study possible. This work was supported by a research grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID LAG-G-00-96-90013-00) through the Peanut CRSP of the University of Georgia.