Obed Solís-Martínez

Aflatoxins (AFs) and fumonisins (FUMs) are among the most prevalent and toxic mycotoxins affecting maize production globally. In Mexico, their co-occurrence poses a significant public health concern, as maize is not only a dietary staple but also predominantly grown and consumed at the household level. This review examines the multifactorial nature of AFs and FUMs contamination in Mexican maize systems, considering the roles of maize germplasm, agricultural practices, environmental conditions, and soil microbiota. Maize landraces, well-adapted to diverse agroecological zones, exhibit potential resistance to AFs contamination and should be prioritized in breeding programs. Sustainable agricultural practices and biocontrol strategies, including the use of atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains, are presented as promising interventions. Environmental factors and soil characteristics further influence fungal proliferation and mycotoxin biosynthesis. Advances in microbiome engineering, biological breeding approaches, and predictive modeling offer novel opportunities for prevention and control. The synergistic toxicity of AFs and FUMs significantly increases health risks, particularly for liver cancer, highlighting the urgency of integrated mitigation strategies. While Mexico has regulatory limits for AFs, the lack of legal thresholds for FUMs remains a critical gap in food safety legislation. This comprehensive review underscores the need for biomarker-based exposure assessments and coordinated national policies, alongside multidisciplinary strategies to reduce mycotoxin exposure and enhance food safety in maize systems.

Introduction: Head and neck cancer patients are at high risk of anorexia-cachexia syndrome and literature shows that Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) could regulate it. We aim to determine the EPA effect on body composition and pro-inflammatory markers in patients with head neck cancer. Materials and methods: A randomized single-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer who received a polymeric diet with 2 g of EPA or a standard polymeric diet for six weeks before antineoplastic treatment. We assessed body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis and determined IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ, CRP, serum proteins, and blood count at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: 32 patients received EPA (2 g/day) and 32 became controls. A decrease in serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ was observed in the experimental group, as well as regulation of body weight (−0.3 ± 5.9 vs. −2.1 ± 3.7), lean body mass (−0.2 ± 3.8 vs. −1.3 ± 3.6), body fat mass (0.2 ± 3.5 vs. −1.2 ± 3.8), and quality of life (10 ± 33 vs. 5 ± 34). Conclusion: Supplementing with 2 g/day of EPA to head and neck cancer patient during antineoplastic treatment regulates serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, body weight, lean body mass, and improve quality of life.