Background: Although aflatoxin exposure has been 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 alpha-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 (>or=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=0.09-1.02; p=0.05) and a 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 (>or=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 reduce vitamin A and E deficiencies.