Description:
This test is designed to measure sufficient intake of antioxidant nutrients through the detection of oxidative damage to DNA. The biomarker, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) has been used to estimate DNA damage in humans after exposure to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco smoke, asbestos fibers, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In recent years, 8-OHdG has been used widely in many studies not only as a biomarker for the measurement of endogenous oxidative DNA damage but also as a risk factor for many diseases including cancer. This mechanism occurs through the interaction of reactive oxygen species with DNA and RNA. This interaction produces oxidation products of these base rings. DNA repair enzymes must remove the damaged bases in order to maintain the viability of DNA and RNA. Oxidation of the nucleoside guanosine produces 8OHdG. The concentration of 8OHdG in urine has thus been studied as an accurate measure of the rate of polynucleotide oxidative damage. Elevated 8OHdG indicates that antioxidant nutrient intake may be insufficient. Additionally, toxicants and lifestyle stress factors may contribute to increased oxidative challenge. |
Tests type:
Oxidative stress: cancer markers, antioxidant marker Symptoms and conditions:
Analytes measured:
Method: Liquid chormatography / tandem mass-spectrometry |