Urinary 8-oxodeoxyguanosine levels in children exposed to air pollutants

Abstract

Oxidative stress is believed to be one of the mechanisms of effects of air pollution to human health. We investigated levels of 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a marker of oxidative damage to DNA, in urine samples of 894 children from two districts in the Czech Republic: Teplice and Prachatice. We assessed the association between 8-oxodG levels and exposure to particulate matter of different size: ≤10 μm (PM10), ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs); as well as between 8-oxodG levels and individual lifestyle, health and pregnancy outcomes. An ELISA technique was used for analysis of 8-oxodG levels. Median levels (range) of 8-oxodG in children from Teplice vs. Prachatice were as follows: 14.6 (3.1–326.5) nmol/mmol vs. 15.2 (3.0–180.8) nmol/mmol creatinine ( p = 0.34). Levels of 8-oxodG were elevated in children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) ( p < 0.05) and among the Gypsy population ( p < 0.01). Levels of 8-oxodG decreased with the child's age ( p < 0.001) and increasing level of the mother's education ( p < 0.01). Multivariate statistical analyses confirmed the effect of the child's age and ETS exposure on 8-oxodG levels. The exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 measured by stationary monitors during a 7-day period before urine collection, as well as the exposure to c-PAHs measured during 3-day periods 1–3 and 7–9 days before urine collection were identified as factors affecting 8-oxodG levels in multivariate models. The obtained results indicate that 8-oxodG is a sensitive biomarker for measuring the exposure of children to air pollution.