Browsing by Author "De Boevre, M."
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- Burden of disease associated with dietary exposure to carcinogenic aflatoxins in Portugal using human biomonitoring approachPublication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, Arnau; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, Sarah; Nunes, Carla; Torres, Duarte; Goios, A.; Lopes, Carla; Alvito, Paula; Assunção, RicardoHuman biomonitoring is an important tool to assess human exposure to chemicals, contributing to describe trends of exposure over time and to identify population groups that could be under risk. Aflatoxins are genotoxic and carcinogenic food contaminants causing hepatocellular carcinoma, the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In Portugal, scarce data are available regarding exposure to aflatoxins and no previous study used human biomonitoring data to comprehensively characterize the associated burden of disease. 24 h urine and first-morning urine paired samples were collected by 94 participants and were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the quantitative determination of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1). Deterministic and probabilistic models were developed to assess the Portuguese exposure to aflatoxins and to estimate the health impact of this exposure, estimating the attributed Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Aflatoxins were detected in a maximum of 13% (AFB1), 16% (AFB2), 1% (AFG1), 2% (AFG2) and 19% (AFM1) of the urine samples. Data obtained through the probabilistic approach revealed an estimated mean probable daily intake of 13.43 ng/kg body weight per day resulting in 0.13 extra cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, corresponding to mean annual DALYs of 172.8 for the Portuguese population (10 291 027 inhabitants). The present study generated for the first time and within a human biomonitoring study, reliable and crucial data to characterize the burden associated to the exposure to aflatoxins of the Portuguese population. The obtained results constitute an imperative support to risk managers in the establishment of preventive policy measures that contribute to ensure public health protection.
- Burden of disease attributable to exposure to aflatoxins in PortugalPublication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, Arnau; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, Sarah; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, Carla; Alvito, Paula; Assunção, RicardoHuman biomonitoring (HBM) is recognized as an important tool to assess the Human exposure to chemicals, contributing to describe trends and patterns of exposure over time and to identify population groups that could be under risk. Natural chemicals as mycotoxins, fungi metabolites that produce toxic effects in humans, are important compounds that could be found in foods usually consumed worldwide in a daily basis. Mycotoxins as aflatoxins (AFTs) are genotoxic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive compounds. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of their main health toxic effects and is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In Portugal, scarce data are available regarding exposure to AFTs and none previous study used HBM data to characterize comprehensively the burden associated to this exposure. In the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015-2016), 24h-urine samples from 94 participants were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of AFTs (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1). A model was developed to estimate the health impact of the exposure of Portuguese population to aflatoxins, estimating the number of cases of HCC and DALYs attributed to AFTs exposure. AFTs were detected in 12.8% (AFB1), 16.0% (AFB2) and 19.1% (AFM1) of the 24h-urine samples. The estimated number of extra cases of HCC attributed to this exposure ranged from 17 to 65 cases/year; the associated DALYs for the Portuguese population ranged from 284 to 1802 years. The present study generated, for the first time and within a HBM study, reliable data regarding the exposure of the Portuguese population to AFTs. These data were crucial to characterize the health impact associated to AFTs exposure and to support risk managers to establish preventive policy measures that contribute to ensure the public health protection. Main messages: Portuguese population is exposed to aflatoxins, chemical food contaminants that may be harmful (carcinogenic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, hepatotoxic) to humans. Human biomonitoring studies provide realistic data on internal exposure at individual level, contributing to a more accurate estimation of the burden derived from this exposure.
- Dietary exposure to aflatoxins in the Portuguese population – the use of biomonitoring data to assess the associated burdenPublication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, Arnau; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, Sarah; Nunes, Carla; Torres, Duarte; Goios, Ana; Lopes, Carla; Alvito, Paula; Assunção, RicardoBackground: Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an important tool to assess the human exposure to chemicals, contributing to describe trends of exposure over time and to identify population groups that could be under risk. Aflatoxins (AFTs) are genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds causing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In Portugal, scarce data are available regarding exposure to AFTs and none previous study used HBM data to characterize comprehensively the associated burden. Methods: 24h-urine samples (n=94) were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the determination of AFTs (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1). Regarding left-censored data (< LOD) a substitution approach was considered (< LOD = 0). Deterministic and probabilistic models were developed to estimate the health impact of the exposure to aflatoxins, estimating the DALYs attributed to AFTs exposure for the Portuguese population (10291k). Results: AFTs were detected in 13% (AFB1), 16% (AFB2), 1% (AFG1), 2% (AFG2) and 19% (AFM1) of the 24h-urine samples. The mean probable daily intake estimated was 16.7 and 13.4 ng/kg body weight/day, calculated mean DALYs/100k were 1.7 (0-10.7) and 1.68 (0.04-6.23) considering the deterministic and probabilistic models, respectively. Conclusion: The present study generated, for the first time and within a HBM study, reliable and crucial data to characterize the burden associated to Portuguese population exposure to aflatoxins. The obtained results constitute an important contribution to support risk managers in the establishment of preventive policy measures that contribute to ensure the public health protection.
- earlyMYCO – a mother & child cohort in Portugal to assess exposure to mycotoxinsPublication . Martins, C.; Assunção, R.; Serrano, D.; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, S.; Alvito, P.; Vidigal, C.; Lamy, E.; Nunes, C.Aim: This study aims for the first time in Portugal to assess the early-life exposure to mycotoxins through a mother & child cohort.
- Exposure assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: the human biomonitoring approachPublication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, A.; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, S.; Nunes, C.; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, C.; Assunção, R; Alvito, P.Mycotoxins constitute a relevant group of food contaminants with several associated health outcomes such as estrogenic, immunotoxic, nephrotoxic and teratogenic effects. Although scarce data are available in Portugal, human biomonitoring studies have been globally developed to assess the exposure to mycotoxins at individual level. In order to overcome this lack of data, the present study concerned the analysis of mycotoxins in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples from 94 participants enrolled within the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015–2016). Following a salt assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analysed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of 37 urinary mycotoxins’ biomarkers and data obtained used to estimate the probable daily intake as well as the risk characterization applying the Hazard Quotient approach. Results revealed the exposure of Portuguese population to zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, alternariol, citrinin and fumonisin B1 through the quantification in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples. Risk characterization data revealed a potential concern to some reported mycotoxins since the reference intake values were exceeded by some of the considered participants. Alternariol was identified for the first time in urine samples from a European country; however, risk characterization was not performed due to lack of reference intake value. These results confirmed mycotoxins as part of the human exposome of the Portuguese population reinforcing the need for further studies regarding the determinants of exposure.
- Exposure of Portuguese population to aflatoxins: the contribution of human biomonitoring to estimation of burden of diseasePublication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, Arnau; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, S.; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, C.; Alvito, Paula; Assunção, RicardoHuman biomonitoring (HBM) is recognized as an important tool to assess the Human exposure to chemicals, contributing to describe trends and patterns of exposure over time and to identify population groups that could be under risk. Natural chemicals as mycotoxins, fungi metabolites that produce toxic effects in humans, are important compounds that could be found in foods usually consumed worldwide in a daily basis. Mycotoxins as aflatoxins (AFTs) are genotoxic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive compounds. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of their main health toxic effects and is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In Portugal, scarce data are available regarding exposure to AFTs and none previous study used HBM data to characterize comprehensively the burden associated to this exposure. In the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015-2016), 24h-urine samples from 94 participants were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of AFTs (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1). A model was developed to estimate the health impact of the exposure of Portuguese population to aflatoxins, estimating the number of cases of HCC and DALYs attributed to AFTs exposure. AFTs were detected in 12.8% (AFB1), 16.0% (AFB2) and 19.1% (AFM1) of the 24h-urine samples. The estimated number of extra cases of HCC attributed to this exposure ranged from 17 to 65 cases/year; the associated DALYs for the Portuguese population ranged from 284 to 1802 years. The present study generated, for the first time and within a HBM study, reliable data on internal exposure to AFTs at individual level for the Portuguese population. These data were crucial to characterize the burden derived from this exposure and to support risk managers to establish preventive policy measures that contribute to ensure the public health protection.
- Exposure of Portuguese population to mycoestrogens: a public health concern?Publication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, Arnau; De Saeger, Sarah; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, C.; Assunção, Ricardo; Alvito, Paula; De Boevre, M.Alternariol (AOH) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins that occur widely in food commodities, with particular incidence in cereals [1,2]. Both mycotoxins present estrogenic effects, therefore, it is crucial to assess the human exposure and the associated risk [2,3]. To date, there is a lack of human studies to assess exposure to ZEN and AOH through biomarkers analysis in Portugal. In the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (IAN-AF, 2015-2016), 94 participants collected 24h-urine samples [4]. Following a salt-assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of ZEN, α-zearalenol (α-ZEL), β -zearalenol (β-ZEL), α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), β-zearalanol (β-ZAL), zearalanone (ZAN), zearalenone-14-glucoside (ZEN-14-GlcA), α-zearalenol-glucoside (α-ZEL-GlcA), β-zearalenolglucoside (β-ZEL-GlcA), zearalenone-14-sulfate (ZEN-14-Sulf), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and AOH. Risk characterization was performed using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) approach. ZEN, ZEN-14-GlcA and AOH were detected in 48%, 16% and 29% of analyzed samples, respectively, and median levels were 0.17 μg/L for ZEN and ZEN-14-GlcA and 0.28 μg/L for AOH. Participants were exposed to ZEN (n=35), AOH (n=15) and some volunteers showed co-exposure to both mycotoxins (n=12). Risk characterization of exposure to ZEN was performed and 24% of participants presented a HQ > 1, thus exceeding the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.250 μg/kg bw/day. There is no toxicological data available to support the establishment of a TDI for AOH, thus the risk associated with this toxin was not characterized [2,5]. The present study generated, for the first time and within a human biomonitoring study, reliable data regarding the exposure of the Portuguese population to ZEN and AOH. These data are crucial to perform a more realistic risk assessment, contributing to more effective preventive measures for health protection of the Portuguese population.
- Exposure of Portuguese population to mycotoxins: the contribution of human biomonitoring studiesPublication . Martins, C.; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, S.; Assunção, R.; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, C.; Alvito, P.; Vidal, A.Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi that occurs widely in food commodities, and are known to potentially cause toxicity and carcinogenic outcomes to humans. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the population exposure to mycotoxins. Biomarker-driven research appeared as a promising method to assess the mycotoxin exposure in humans. To date, in Portugal, there is a lack of human studies to assess biomarker of exposure to mycotoxins. In the Scope of National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015-2016), a cross-sectional study was developed based on a convenience sample of 94 participants. Participants were from both genders, aged 18-84 years, from north and center regions of Portugal, and collected 24h urine samples. Analytical determination of mycotoxins urinary biomarkers (n = 40) was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer detector. Preliminary results showed that exposure of Portuguese population to mycotoxins is a reality. Until now, results revealed the presence of seven mycotoxins and metabolites in 10% to 76% of analyzed samples. Considering the 24h-urinary volume, mean dietary excretion of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) was 35.8 and 1.9 mg/day, respectively. Regarding DON, results showed a good correlation between excreted biomarkers: DON-DON3GlcA (r = 0.7322) and DON-DON15GlcA (r = 0.7538), confirming the adequacy of these biomarkers. Further analysis regarding the excretion of other mycotoxins are still in course. This biomonitoring study generate, for the first time, reliable data regarding the exposure of Portuguese population to mycotoxins. These data are crucial to perform a more realistic risk assessment, contribute to the knowledge of determinants of this exposure and provides evidence-based data to support the revision of legislative limits concerning the occurrence of mycotoxins in food. Key messages: Portuguese population is exposed to mycotoxins, chemical food contaminants that may be harmful (carcinogenic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, hepatotoxic) for human health; Human biomonitoring studies provide realistic data on internal exposure at individual level, allowing a more accurate knowledge of the determinants of exposure to these contaminants.
- Exposure to mycoestrogens a public health concern in PortugalPublication . Martins, Carla; Vida, Arnau; De Saeger, Sarah; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, Carla; Assunção, Ricardo; Alvito, Paula; De Boevre, M.Alternariol (AOH) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins that occur widely in food commodities, with particular incidence in cereals [1,2]. Both mycotoxins present estrogenic effects, therefore, it is crucial to assess the human exposure and the associated risk [2,3]. To date, there is a lack of human studies to assess exposure to ZEN and AOH through biomarkers analysis in Portugal. In the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (IAN-AF, 2015-2016), 94 participants collected 24h-urine samples [4]. Following a salt-assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of ZEN, α-zearalenol (α-ZEL), β -zearalenol (β-ZEL), α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), β-zearalanol (β-ZAL), zearalanone (ZAN), zearalenone-14-glucoside (ZEN-14-GlcA), α-zearalenol-glucoside (α-ZEL-GlcA), β-zearalenol-glucoside (β-ZEL-GlcA), zearalenone-14-sulfate (ZEN-14-Sulf), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and AOH. Risk characterization was performed using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) approach. ZEN, ZEN-14-GlcA and AOH were detected in 48%, 16% and 29% of analyzed samples, respectively, and median levels were 0.17 µg/L for ZEN and ZEN-14-GlcA and 0.28 µg/L for AOH. Participants were exposed to ZEN (n=35), AOH (n=15) and some volunteers showed co-exposure to both mycotoxins (n=12). Risk characterization of exposure to ZEN was performed and 24% of participants presented a HQ > 1, thus exceeding the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.250 µg/kg bw/day. There is no toxicological data available to support the establishment of a TDI for AOH, thus the risk associated with this toxin was not characterized [2,5]. The present study generated, for the first time and within a human biomonitoring study, reliable data regarding the exposure of the Portuguese population to ZEN and AOH. These data are crucial to perform a more realistic risk assessment, contributing to more effective preventive measures for health protection of the Portuguese population.
- Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to MycoestrogensPublication . Martins, Carla; Torres, Duarte; Lopes, Carla; Correia, Daniela; Goios, Ana; Assunção, Ricardo; Alvito, Paula; Vidal, Arnaud; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, Sarah; Nunes, CarlaZearalenone and alternariol are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Alternaria species, respectively, that present estrogenic activity and consequently are classified as endocrine disruptors. To estimate the exposure of the Portuguese population to these two mycotoxins at a national level, a modelling approach, based on data from 94 Portuguese volunteers, was developed considering as inputs: i) the food consumption data generated within the National Food and Physical Activity Survey; and ii) the human biomonitoring data used to assess the exposure to the referred mycotoxins. Six models of association between mycoestrogens urinary levels (zearalenone, total zearalenone and alternariol) and food items (meat, cheese, and fresh-cheese, breakfast cereals, sweets) were established. Applying the obtained models to the consumption data (n = 5811) of the general population, the median estimates of the probable daily intake revealed that a fraction of the Portuguese population might exceed the tolerable daily intake defined for zearalenone. A reference intake value for alternariol is still lacking, thus the characterization of risk due to the exposure to this mycotoxin was not possible to perform. Although the unavoidable uncertainties, these results are important contributions to understand the exposure to endocrine disruptors in Portugal and the potential Public Health consequences.