DNA Oxidative Damage Assay – Urine Sample
Summary
Oxidative stress is involved in many pathophysiological processes, aging and cancer. Assessment and amelioration of oxidative stress are invaluable components of preventive approaches to optimizing health and longevity.
8-OHdG
Urinary 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is an excellent biomarker of oxidative stress and a risk factor for a variety of diseases including cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced as a result of normal oxygen metabolism or exposure to toxins. Excessive levels are associated with oxidative damage to fats, proteins and DNA. 8-OHdG is the most frequently detected and studied oxidized part of DNA that is considered to be pre-cancerous due to its potential for initiation and promotion of cancer. Bladder and prostate cancers have been associated with elevated levels of 8-OHdG.
Oxidative Stress and High 8-OHdG
Oxidative stress and elevations of 8-OHdG have been associated with numerous pathological processes including cystic fibrosis, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis, chronic hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s. Elevated levels of 8-OHdG also have been associated with hyperglycemia and have been positively correlated with HbA1c and the severity of nephropathy and retinopathy in diabetics. Environmental factors, lifestyle choices (e.g. smoking, recreational drugs), and some pharmaceuticals also have been associated with elevated urine levels of 8-OHdG. Known environmental factors include exposure to ionizing radiation (e.g. indoor radon), asbestos, toxic metals and metal fumes (e.g. manganese, chromium and vanadium), diesel exhaust, benzene, styrene, toluene and zylenes. In grade school children, exposure to toxic/carcinogenic metals released from coal-fired power plants as assessed by measurement of elements in urine was significantly correlated with urine levels of 8-OHdG.
Oxidative Stress and Moderate 8-OHdG
Moderately elevated levels of 8-OHdG have been associated with inadequate intake of carotinoids, antioxidant-rich foods and supplemental antioxidants. A finding of an elevated level of 8-OHdG in a first morning urine void warrants identification of the source(s) of oxidative stress/inflammation and assessment of the primary intracellular antioxidant glutathione. The efficacy of therapeutic intervention to ameliorate oxidative stress should be monitored by subsequent re-testing of urine 8-OHdG and glutathione levels.
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**Description courtesy of Doctor’s Data In