Associations of plasma aflatoxin B1-albumin adduct level with plasma selenium level and genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1

Mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is extraordinarily high in Matzu, an island off the coast of Southeastern China. To investigate factors associated with plasma aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1))-albumin adduct level, we studied 304 healthy adult residents from Matzu. AFB(1)-albumin adducts were determined by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, hepatitis B surface antigen status by enzyme immunoassay, genotypes of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 and T1 by polymerase chain reaction, plasma selenium by atomic absorption spectrometry, and plasma retinol, alpha -tocopherol, alpha -carotene, and beta -carotene levels by high-performance liquid chromatography. Men had higher AFB(1)-albumin adduct levels than women. GSTM1-nonnull and GSTT1-null genotypes and low plasma selenium level were significantly associated with an increased level of AFB(1)-albumin adducts among men, whereas age was significantly correlated with adduct level among women. High intake of fermented beans was associated with an increased adduct level among men and women. The inverse associations between plasma selenium level and AFB(1)-albumin adducts were statistically significant among those with null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1, but not among the nonnull genotypes. This study provides insight into the dietary and genetic factors influencing AFB(1)-albumin adduct formation in an isolated population with high liver cancer mortality.