Molecular Biomarkers & Diagnosis

Detection of Oxidative Stress in Buccal Cells using iSWAB Tubes

Abstract

Marcel Bassil, Aya Al Atat, and Mariam Ibragim

Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance in pro-oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis in favor of oxidants leading to the oxidation of DNA, lipids, and proteins. In this experiment, we investigated the oxidative profile of iSWAB-Mawi protein tubes by examining their ability to detect the protein oxidation biomarkers: nitrotyrosine and S-nitrosocysteine in buccal cells in a sample of 40 participants, equally divided between Lebanese University and Benta Pharma Industries. Protein concentrations were determined by Bradford assay in order to then be analyzed for the presence of nitrotyrosine and S-nitrosocysteine by western blot. Results showed the presence of S-nitrosocysteine and nitrotyrosine in buccal cells reflecting the ability of iSWAB-Mawi protein tubes to detect those protein oxidation biomarkers.