Critical Roles of Micronutrients against Genetic Toxicity: Connecting Molecular Defense to Clinical Chemistry Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71637/toxicologydigest.vol5no1.57Keywords:
DNA repair, Genetic polymorphism, Genome, Genotoxicity, MicronutrientsAbstract
Background:
Genotoxic exposures from environmental toxicants and endogenously produced excess free radicals damage the DNA and other cellular components involved in replication and repair. This damage if left unchecked, can lead to genome instability, mutations, cancer and other pathologies. However, micronutrients, though play a highly significant role in genome integrity, function and damage repair are often overlooked.
Objectives:
This review was aimed to highlight the evidence of the protective roles of micronutrients against genetic toxicity and potentials of assimilation into clinical laboratory medicine.
Methods:
Relevant literature that linked micronutrient functions (selenium, zinc, iron, manganese, vitamins B9 (folate), B12, C, and E) to DNA damage and repair were analysed. Literature survey involved the use of general search engines (Google and Bing), subject-specific search engines (GoPubMed), and scholarly literature databases (Google Scholar, Embase).
Results:
Micronutrients were found to be important cofactors in three major defence mechanisms: antioxidant defence (direct radical scavenging - vitamins C and E; enzymatic antioxidant activity - selenium, zinc, manganese), DNA repair enzyme function (zinc, iron), and epigenetic maintenance via one-carbon metabolism (folate, B12, B6). Human studies using proven indicators of effect such as the comet assay, micronucleus test, and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, showed that low micronutrient status is associated with increased genetic damage. Targeted supplementation in populations with high exposure demonstrated the capacity to alleviate this damage and emphasised the significance of genetic polymorphisms and need for personalised nutrition.
Conclusion:
Micronutrients are significant biochemical foundation for genome stability. Linking molecular roles of micronutrients with their application in clinical chemistry appears to be an important arsenal against genotoxic damage, thus of great public health significance.
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