Overview of 8-hydroxy-2?-deoxyguanosine (8-ohdg) as DNA Damage Biomarker in Infants Who Live Near Gold Mines, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: People living near gold mines have risks of Hg exposure. Hg as free radical will react to body
biomolecules. Susceptible biomolecules are nucleic acid or DNA. With DNA damage biomarker using
8-hydroxy-2?-deoxyguanosine(8-OhdG).
Purpose: This research will give an overview of 8-OHdG in mother and infants living near gold mines.
Research Method: This Observational Longitudinal research measures Hg level in mothers’ hair and urine,
breast milk, cord blood, also infants’ hair and urine. Level of 8-hydroxy-2?-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in
urine is measured with Elisa Kit. Mercury Analyzerwas used to measure Hg.
Results: Average of Hg in maternal hair and urine, cord blood, breast milk also infants’ hair and urine were
high above Threshold Limit Value (TLV) by WHO. Showing occurrence of Hg accumulation in mothers.
Infant Hg exposure has occurred during prenatal transferred through cord blood and postnatal through breast
milk. Average of 8-OHdG in maternal and infant urine were high above normal average level of people
unexposed to Hg, i.e 2.28 nm/ml which shows occurrence of DNA damage.
Conclusion: Maternal and infant Hg were high above TLV. Level of 8-OHdG in maternal and infant urine
were high above 8-OHdG level of people unexposed to Hg, indicating DNA damage inducted by mercury.