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Oxidative stress is involved in many human diseases, such as atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, it is assumed to be important in ageing. However, reactive oxygen species can also be beneficial, as they are used by the immune system to attack and kill pathogens. Detection or measurement of oxidation markers is helpful to assess oxidant activity and to monitor the effectiveness of the antioxidant system.
Superoxides and other free radicals contribute, together with many other factors like inflammation, radiation, and carcinogen exposure, to DNA damage. Antibodies and assays for detection of DNA adducts, such as ethenoadenosine, BPDE-DNA, and 8-oxoguanine, are valuable markers for studies on DNA damage. Nitrotyrosine has been identified as a marker of inflammation and production of NO. Various pathways including the formation of peroxynitrite lead to nitrotyrosine production. Since nitrotyrosine is a stable end product of peroxynitrite oxidation, assessment of its plasma concentration is a useful marker of NO-dependent damage in vivo, taking into account that most proteins have a longer half life in the circulation than nitrite/nitrate (NOX). Nitrotyrosine has been detected by immunohistology in various inflammatory processes, including atherosclerotic plaques, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure and septic shock.