Oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes: correlations with plasma levelsof alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids

In order to investigate whether oxidative damage is associated with differe nces in antioxidant intake, we measured the levels of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'- deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) in lymphocytes and alpha-tocopherol and several carotenoids in plasma of women with different dietary habits. We found that women from Granada (Spain), a region with a typically Mediterranean diet, had significantly higher levels of 8-oxodGuo compared with Malmo (Sweden), a region with a Northern European dietary intake pattern (2.30 +/- 0.78 ver sus 1.59 +/- 1.01. 8-oxodGuo/10(-6) deoxyguanosine). Levels of plasma alpha -tocopherol and carotenoids were higher in Granada and these values were si gnificantly positively correlated with levels of 8-oxodGuo, Our results do not support the hypothesis that a Mediterranean diet rich in alpha-tocopher ol and carotenoids protects cells against oxidative DNA damage. It is possi ble, however, that consumption of foods other than fruits and vegetables, i ncluding fats, are responsible for the higher levels of 8-oxodGuo in Granad a, Further studies are warranted to better elucidate the role of antioxidan ts in the modulation of oxidative stress in vivo.