Biomarkers of damage

This class of biomarkers measures actual toxic effects at the molecular, cellular and physiological levels. It is more closely related to pathological conditions (morbidity) that could lead to death. The oxidative status of cells has been proposed as a universal mechanism leading to cell dysfunction. The normal metabolism (e.g. (3-oxidation, pentose shunt pathway, immune function) produces oxidizing precursors such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO) that are rapidly eliminated by non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants to prevent tissue damage. 

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V I. Bruskov et al., Heat-induced formation of reactive oxygen species and 8-oxoguanine, a biomarker of damage to DNA. Nucleic Acids Res. 30, 1354—1363 (2002)... 

For more information on biomarkers for renal and hepatic effects of chemicals, see ATSDR/CDC Subcommittee Report on Biomarkers of Organ Damage and Dysfunction (1990) and for information on biomarkers for neurological effects, see OTA (1990). 

Jacob RA, Aiello GM, Stephensen CB, Blumberg JB, Milbury PE, Wallock LM and Ames BN. 2003. Moderate antioxidant supplementation has no effect on biomarkers of oxidant damage in healthy men with low fruit and vegetables intakes. J Nutr 133(3) 740-743. 

Hepatocellular necrosis related to covalent binding of metabolites to cell and plasma proteins and to mitochondrial membrane damage results in release of intracellular enzymes into the bloodstream, providing biomarkers of liver cell damage. Biomarkers of hepatocellular necrosis are not specific to... 

Results of studies in humans and animals suggest that sperm abnormalities, evidence of DNA damage such as chromosomal anomalies, and tests for liver and kidney dysfunction may serve as biomarkers of the effects of 1,2-dibromoethane (Ellingham et al. 1986 Heinrichs 1983 NTP 1982,... 

Fessard, V. and Livingstone, D.R. (1998). Development of western analysis of oxidized proteins as a biomarker of oxidative damage in liver of fish. Marine Environmental Research, 46 407-410. 

No information is available concerning the effects of 2,3-benzofuran in humans. Acute oral exposure to 2,3-benzofuran has been shown to alter levels of enzyme activity in the livers of female mice (Heine et al. 1986), but much more work would need to be done to determine whether there is a pattern of enzyme alteration specific to 2,3-benzofuran exposure. Other effects found in animals following oral exposure to 2,3-benzofuran are kidney and liver damage and kidney, lung, liver, and stomach cancer (see Section 2.2.2). Such generalized responses do not suggest the basis for any specific biomarker of clinical or preclinical effects caused by 2,3-benzofuran. 

Other effects in animals include kidney and liver damage and an increased rate of kidney, lung, liver, and forestomach cancer (NTP 1989). Such effects are too general and severe to serve as biomarkers of 2,3-benzofuran effects. 

Gutteiidge J (1995) Lipid peroxidation and antioxidants as biomarkers of tissues damage. Clin Chem41(12) 1819-1828... 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1990. Biomarkers of organ damage or dysfunction for the renal, hepatobiliary, and immune systems. Subcommittee on Biomarkers of Organ Damage and Dysfunction, Atlanta, GA. 

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