Stable markers of oxidant damage to proteins and their application in the study of human disease

The mechanisms of formation and the nature of the altered amino acid side c hains formed on proteins subjected to oxidant attack are reviewed. The use of stable products of protein side chain oxidation as potential markers for assessing oxidative damage in vivo in humans is discussed. The methods dev eloped in the authors laboratories are outlined, and the advantages and dis advantages of these techniques compared with other methodologies for assess ing oxidative damage to proteins and other macromolecules. Evidence is pres ented to show that protein oxidation products are sensitive markers of oxid ative damage, that the pattern of products detected may yield information a s to the nature of the original oxidative insult, and that the levels of ox idized side-chains can, in certain circumstances, be much higher than those of other markers of oxidation such as lipid hydroperoxides. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science Inc.