Urinary Sulfate, Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, and 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine:

Compounds found in the urine represent the end products of metabolism and are the expression of the efficiencies or inefficiencies of this process. Nutritional status has a direct effect on this metabolic efficiency. Careful assessment of certain urinary compounds can yield valuable information on the nutrient needs of the individual. Urinary sulfate, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) are critical markers of metabolic function, reflecting the status of multiple systems in the human body due to the broad-based nature of their biological influence. Sulfate is utilized in the detoxification and conjugation of both endogenous and exogenous compounds. ADMA is a potent inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, consequently affecting the production of nitric oxide and its associated systemic functions. Oxidative damage to DNA is reflected in the urinary excretion of the oxidized damage adduct, 8-OHdG. Each one of these compounds can be influenced by nutritional status. Measurement of these end products in urine provides an insight into specific nutrient needs of the individual and identifies prospective areas of support. Introduction: Nutritional status has a profound influence on health. F rom frank nutrient deficiency diseases to the development of many chronic degenerative illnesses due to subclinical insufficiency, nutrition is a critical component of long term health status. Defining the appropriate nutrient needs for the individual is a challenging task. The principle of biochemical individuality yields a wide range of nutrient requirements for optimal function in the population. What may be appropriate for one individual may not necessarily be what is needed for another. As just one example, research has noted that mutant enzymes with poor binding affinity account for more than 50 known genetic conditions. These conditions, however, can often be stabilized with appropriate nutrient intakes. In individuals with these defective enzymes, the administration of high doses of the vitamin component of the corresponding coenzyme partially restores enzymatic activity. [1] With these kinds of variations, how does one determine optimal nutrient needs for the individual? Measurement of nutrient levels in various compartments of the body has been one approach to nutritional assessment. Blood, urine, or tissue levels of vitamins and minerals can give the level of a particular nutrient present. However, comprehensive testing of all important nutrients is expensive and requires large amounts of specimen, which may not be easily attainable.