Detection of aflatoxin B1-DNA adducts in liver tissue from Malaysia

Abstract

Nine liver specimens of Macaca fascicularis fed with various doses of aflatoxin B1 and three controls as well as sixteen human liver biopsy specimens from Malaysians were stained for the presence of aflatoxin B1-DNA adducts by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody against the imidazole ring-opened persistent form of the major N-7 guanine adducts of AFB1. Livers of all monkeys fed with aflatoxin were positive while none of the controls were positive. Fourteen human liver biopsy specimens were negative for AFB-DNA adducts. A specimen of liver cirrhosis and one hepatocellular carcinoma specimen appeared positive. These findings show evidence of past exposure to aflatoxin B1 in those individuals.