Background: Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the concentrations of MC-LR in drinking water and the synergistic effect of MC-LR and HBV on hepatocellular carcinogenesis through their disturbance of redox balance have not been fully elucidated.
Methods: We measured the MC-LR concentrations in 168 drinking water samples of areas with a high incidence of HCC.