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

In order to investigate whether oxidative damage is associated with differences 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 Malmö (Sweden), a region with a Northern European dietary intake pattern (2.30 +/- 0.78 versus 1.59 +/- 1.01 8-oxodGuo/10(-6) deoxyguanosine). Levels of plasma alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids were higher in Granada and these values were significantly positively correlated with levels of 8-oxodGuo. Our results do not support the hypothesis that a Mediterranean diet rich in alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids protects cells against oxidative DNA damage. It is possible, however, that consumption of foods other than fruits and vegetables, including fats, are responsible for the higher levels of 8-oxodGuo in Granada. Further studies are warranted to better elucidate the role of antioxidants in the modulation of oxidative stress in vivo.