8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a short-term predictor of regional and occupational health problems

Exposure to a large number of environmental toxins can induce damage to DNA and may play an important role in the pathophysiological processes of atherosclerosis. To examine the effect of some specific environmental conditions that predispose to sudden coronary atherosclerotic death on the level of 8-OHdG, urine samples were collected from cases of certain occupations and polluted regions that showed a high prevalence of premature deaths. The samples were then analyzed for 8-OHdG. Analysis of 108 cases and 45 controls showed a significant high level of 8-OHdG in relation to occupations, habits, residency and work shift. The mean +/- standard deviation (M +/- SD) for the control group was 4.5 +/- 2.3 ng 8-OHdG/mg creatinine (n = 45), compared to 9.1 +/- 3.1 ng/mg in taxi drivers (n = 9), 10 +/- 5.5 ng/mg in chemical factory workers (n = 16), 12.0 +/- 8.9 ng/mg in paint workers (n = 9), 14.6 +/- 11.1 ng/mg in gasoline station workers (n = 15), 15 +/- 6.1 ng/mg in cement factory workers (n = 12), 16.4 +/- 3.2 ng/mg in city center inhabitants (n = 18) and 18.6 +/- 3.2 ng/mg in smokers (n = 15). These conditions at least in the pilot study done by the author, showed some form of precipitation of sudden atherosclerotic coronary death. This work proved that the recently used 8-OHdG DNA damage biomarker may be an important marker of environmental conditions that are expected to have a serious long-term impact on the cardiovascular system.