8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage induced by environmental tobacco side-stream smoke and its mechanism

OBJECTIVE: To study the genotoxicity effect of environmental tobacco side-stream smokes (ETSS) on oxidative DNA damage and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: DNA adduct 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was used as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. The level of 8-OHdG in DNA exposed to ETSS was detected by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Organic and inorganic components in ETSS were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrum and atomic absorption spectrum respectively. RESULTS: Particle matters (PMs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ETSS could directly induce oxidative DNA damage and formation of 8-OHdG. There were 123 and 84 kinds of organic components in PMs and VOCs respectively, and 7 kinds of inorganic components in ETSS. Some components, especially quinones and polyphenols in ETSS, could produce free radicals in vitro by auto-oxidation without any biological activity systems, and with the catalytic reaction of metals, the DNA adduct 8-OHdG was produced. CONCLUSION: ETSS have biological oxidative effect on DNA in vitro and in vivo, and expressed direct genotoxicity. 8-OHdG is a valuable biomarker of oxidative DNA damage.