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BIOMONITORING OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS
Citation:
HEIDENFELDER, B. BIOMONITORING OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS. Presented at 24th Annual GEMS fall meeting, Chapel Hill, NC, October 26, 2006.
Description:
Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with several disease processes in humans, including cancer, asthma, diabetes, and cardiac disease. We have explored whether ROS can be measured directly in human fluids, and their value as a biomarker of exposure and/or effect. Using a simple chemiluminescent technique, we have measured ROS levels in a variety of human biological fluids including plasma, whole blood, milk, urine, and exhaled breath condensate. These measurements were taken from several populations, including healthy adults, new mothers, pediatric and adult asthmatics, and elderly adults exposed to arsenic in water. We evaluated: 1) the stability of ROS over time, 2) intra- versus inter-individual variation of ROS levels, 3) the effect of known modulators of ROS, 4) ROS levels in different biological fluids taken from the same individual (breast milk vs. plasma), and 5) relationships between ROS and disease endpoints (lung function measures and cancer). Our data suggest that ROS are detectable in a variety of human fluids, but the levels are dependent on age and several other endogenous factors. In order to understand the role of ROS in disease pathogenesis, or their value as an integrated measure of environmental exposures, we need to view ROS in the context of other biomarkers of exposure and effect. We believe that, with further validation, ROS measurement may be a biomarker of general health and early effects. (These findings do not necessarily represent EPA policy).