Aberrant processing of oxidative DNA damage in systemic lupus erythematosus

Defective DNA damage processing has been reported in systemic lupus erythem atosus (SLE). Vitamin C may modulate formation/removal of the oxidative DNA lesion 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Baseline levels of 8-oxodG: meas ured in SLE serum, urine and PBMC DNA did not differ significantly from hea lthy subjects. In contrast to healthy subjects, no significant decrease in PBMC 8-oxodG or increase in urinary 8-oxodG was noted in vitamin C suppleme nted SLE patients. A significant, although attenuated, increase in serum 8- oxodG was detected in SLE patients, compared to healthy subjects. These dat a support putative abnormalities in the repair/processing of 8-oxodG in SLE , (C) 2000 Academic Press.