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Title: Fumonisin as a possible contributing factor to neural tube defects in populations consuming large amounts of maize

Author
item GELINEAU-VAN WAES, JANEE - Creighton University
item MADDOX, JOYCE - Creighton University
item ASHLEY-KOCH, ALLISON - Duke University Medical Center
item GREGORY, SIMON - Duke University Medical Center
item TORRES DE MATUTE, OLGA - Centro De Investigacion
item Voss, Kenneth
item Riley, Ronald

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/30/2010
Publication Date: 4/4/2011
Citation: Gelineau-Van Waes, J., Maddox, J., Ashley-Koch, A., Gregory, S., Torres De Matute, O., Voss, K.A., Riley, R.T. 2011. Fumonisin as a possible contributing factor to neural tube defects in populations consuming large amounts of maize [abstract]. MycoRed Africa 2011 Conference Programme and Abstracts. p. 23.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fumonisin B1 (FB) is an inhibitor of sphingolipid (SL) biosynthesis and folate transport and can induce neural tube defects (NTD) in mice. NTD incidence is high in countries where maize is a dietary staple and FB exposure is likely. In Guatemala the incidence of FB in maize has been well documented and a preliminary exposure assessment has been conducted. Previous and ongoing research in Guatemala has identified specific communities where FB in maize is frequently quite high and exposure has been confirmed in preliminary studies using urinary FB as an exposure marker. Currently we are evaluating information developed from studies in humans and animals to assess and validate the use of SL mechanism-based and FB exposure-based biomarkers in women known to consume large amounts of maize potentially contaminated with FB in Guatemala. The project is analyzing for FB in maize samples from local markets and collecting urine and blood spots to validate biomarkers in the high and low exposure communities. The protocols for the human studies are IRB approved. In addition to the human studies, studies in mice will determine the dose-response relationships in urinary FB and SL metabolites and genetic markers in blood spots that correlate with increased risk for NTDs in mice. The information gained from the proposed studies will form the basis for the design of prospective and retrospective epidemiological studies to identify women at high risk for NTD.