Urinary biomarkers and the rate of DNA damage in carcinogenesis and anticarcinogenesis.

Endogenous oxidative processes are shown to generate hydrogen peroxide and .OH radicals, which react in vivo to form a variety of products. Thymidine glycol (Tg) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-dRG-OH) are such products. They result from the excision repair of DNA and are excreted in urine. Both products can be used as biomarkers in the dosimetry of oxidative damage to DNA. Since oxidative processes and accumulation of their effects contribute to carcinogenesis, the proposed rate-of-damage hypothesis provides a rationale for using these biomarkers in early diagnostics and in the assessment of carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic properties of diets, foods, and food components, as well as certain exogenous toxicants and agents. Approaches for measurement of urinary biomarkers of DNA damage are reviewed.