Exocyclic DNA adducts and oxidative stress parameters: useful tools for biomonitoring exposure to aldehydes in smokers.

CONTEXT: Exocyclic DNA adducts have been shown to be potential biomarkers of cancer risk related to oxidative stress and exposure to aldehydes in smokers. In fact, aldehydes potentially arise from tobacco combustion directly and endogenously through lipid peroxidation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the relationship between a profile of nine aldehydes-induced DNA adducts and antioxidant activities, in order to evaluate new biomarkers of systemic exposure to aldehydes.

METHODS

Using our previously published UPLC-MS/MS method, adducts levels were quantified in the blood DNA of 34 active smokers. The levels of antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E), coenzyme Q10, β-carotene, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein were measured.

RESULTS

Adducts induced by tobacco smoking-related aldehydes were quantified at levels reflecting an oxidative production from lipid peroxidation. A significant correlation between SOD and crotonaldehyde-induced adducts (p = 0.0251) was also observed. β-Carotene was negatively correlated with the adducts of formaldehyde (p = 0.0351) and acetaldehyde (p = 0.0413). Vitamin C tended to inversely correlate with acetaldehyde-induced adducts (p = 0.0584).

CONCLUSION

These results are promising, and the study is now being conducted on a larger cohort with the aim of evaluating the impact of smoking cessation programs on the evolution of adducts profile and antioxidants activities.