Urinary Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites in Maté Drinkers in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Background Consumption of maté, an infusion of the herb Ilex paraguariensis (yerba maté), is associated with increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the carcinogenic mechanism is unclear. Commercial brands of yerba maté contain high levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are acquired during the traditional drying process. The purpose of this study was to characterize exposure to PAHs in maté drinkers over a wide range of maté consumption. Methods We recruited 244 adults who answered a questionnaire and collected a fasting spot urine specimen. We quantified urinary concentrations of seven PAH metabolites, and assessed associations between self-reported recent maté consumption and urinary PAH metabolites by multivariate regression. Results Recent maté consumption showed a significant dose-response association with 6 of 7 PAH metabolites in unadjusted models (p-for-trend <0.05). After adjustment for creatinine and potential confounders, concentrations of 2-naphthol, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and the sum of 2- and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene remained significantly associated with recent maté intake. The sum of the urinary concentrations of the phenanthrene metabolites was similar or higher among maté drinkers who did not smoke than among smokers who did not drink maté. Conclusions Urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites were significantly associated with self-reported amount of recent maté intake, and drinking maté increased urinary concentrations of some PAH metabolites as much as smoking cigarettes. Impact Drinking maté is a source of exposure to potentially carcinogenic PAHs, consistent with the hypothesis that the PAH content of maté may contribute to the increased risk of ESCC in maté drinkers.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a potential source of carcinogenicity of mate

“…In other words, mate drinking was associated with as much urine 1-OHPG as smoking cigarettes. A recent study of 244 adults 36 has confirmed these findings: recent mate consumption was associated with higher urinary concentrations of several PAH metabolites in a dose-response manner, and the sum of the urinary concentrations of the phenanthrene metabolites was similar or higher among mate drinkers who did not smoke than among smokers who did not drink mate. Notably, 1-OHPG concentrations have been found to be very high in urine samples of residents in regions in Iran and China that have very high incidence rates of esophageal cancer.…”

10-Year Trends in Dietary Intakes in the High- and Low-Risk Areas for Esophageal Cancer: A Population-Based Ecological Study in Northern Iran

“…Diversities in the activity of these enzymes in different individuals may be related to the risk of developing cancers in those exposed to HCAs and PAHs. [46][47][48] Interventions reducing red meat consumption will decrease exposure to these carcinogenic compounds. Therefore, red meat consumption reducing interventions may be considered as an important activity in EC controlling program.…”

Potenciais efeitos terapêuticos do consumo de erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. Aquifoliaceae) para mulheres em menopausa: uma revisão sistemática

“…No entanto, apesar da erva-mate ser uma bebida funcional, infelizmente existe a possibilidade que o consumo excessivo da mesma produza efeitos tóxicos em humanos e animais, afetando a saúde da mulher, conforme descritos na literatura [17] . Esses podem ser resumidos em: a) Intoxicação por metais (Alumínio; Arsênio; Cadmio; Cobre; Chumbo; Mercúrio); b) câncer provocado por hidrocarbonetos aromáticos; c) Intoxicação fúngica e bacteriana; d) Contaminação com Helicobacter pylori; e) Hepatite aguda; f) Teratogenia e g) interação medicamentosa [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] .…”