Reduction in the urinary aflatoxin M_1 biomarker as an early indicator of the efficacy of dietary interventions to reduce exposure to aflatoxins

摘要

Aflatoxin B_1 is a persistent public health issue in Ghana. Assessment of AFB_1 intervention efficacy is currently dependent on long-term biomarkers. This study was designed to determine whether daily AFM_1 biomarker levels could be utilized as an early detection method for intervention efficacy. Participants were treated with a refined calcium montmorillonite clay (UPSN) or a placebo (calcium carbonate) in a crossover study. Urine samples were assessed for AFM_1 levels daily. UPSN treatment reduced AFM_1 biomarkers by 55% compared to the placebo. This is the first study to show that daily urinary AFM_1 levels can be used as a biomarker of internal aflatoxin B_1 exposure in short-term intervention trials to determine efficacy.