INFLUENCE OF SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI INFECTION ON CARCINOGEN-METABOLIZINGCAPACITIES AND IN-VITRO AFLATOXIN B-1 METABOLISM IN HUMAN LIVER

It is well known that schistosomal infection and food contamination wi th aflatoxins caused marked histopathological changes in human liver. This study demonstrates the influence of Schistosoma mansoni infection on the capacity of drug-metabolizing enzymes and in vitro aflatoxin B -1 metabolism in human liver. Clinical data showed an increase in alka line phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase by 82, 74 and 100%, respectively. The activity of NADPH cytochrome C reductase and cytochrome P-450 content were significantly decreased in the liver of schistosomal patients by 70 and 52% respectively. The cytochrome b-5 c ontent was also decreased by 61%. Aflatoxin B-1 tris-diol could not be detected using the microsomal fractions of the schistosomal group rel ative to the control group. The content of aflatoxin Q(1) metabolite p roduced by microsomal fractions of schistosomal patients increased by 308%. There was no difference in the formation of aflatoxin M(1) betwe en the two groups. These observations indicate that Schistosoma manson i infection might potentiate the deleterious effects of environmental carcinogens.