Document Detail


Ochratoxin a: its cancer risk and potential for exposure.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16621780     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Ochratoxin A (OA) is a naturally occurring mycotoxin known to contaminate a variety of foods and beverages. The cancer risk posed by OA was reviewed as relevant to human exposure, regulatory activities, and risk management efforts occurring worldwide, particularly in Europe. OA moves through the food chain and has been found in the tissues and organs of animals, including human blood and breast milk. Results from the National Toxicology Program's rodent bioassays show significantly increased incidence of mammary gland tumors in female rats and kidney tumors in male and female rats given OA orally. Liver tumors in female mice fed OA in the diet have also been observed. In humans, OA exposure has been most often associated with the kidney disease Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), symptoms of which include tumors of the kidney and urinary tract. No epidemiological studies have yet adequately evaluated the cancer risk of OA in human populations. Studies have shown OA to be genotoxic as well as immunotoxic, although its mode of action is not fully understood. Organizations and agencies in many countries are currently promulgating standards for OA in foods and beverages. Increased efforts in farm management and food safety are being made to mitigate the risks to public health posed by OA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently evaluating data on OA levels in domestic and imported commodities but has not established official regulations or guidelines for OA in the U.S. food supply.
Authors:
Heather A Clark; Suzanne M Snedeker
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B, Critical reviews     Volume:  9     ISSN:  1521-6950     ISO Abbreviation:  J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev     Publication Date:    2006 May-Jun
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-04-19     Completed Date:  2006-06-22     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9802627     Medline TA:  J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  265-96     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors (BCERF), Sprecher Institute for Comparative Cancer Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401, USA. hac4@cornell.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aspergillus ochraceus / chemistry
Carcinogens / metabolism,  toxicity*
Environmental Exposure
Food Contamination*
Humans
Ochratoxins / chemistry,  metabolism,  toxicity*
Public Health
Risk Assessment
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Carcinogens; 0/Ochratoxins; 303-47-9/ochratoxin A

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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