Transcription factor NF-kappaB as a potential biomarker for oxidative stress.

R. van den Berg*, G.R.M.M. Haenen, H. van den Berg, A. Bast

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Br J Nutr 2001 Aug;86 Suppl 1:S121-7 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut


Transcription factor NF-kappaB as a potential biomarker for oxidative stress.

van den Berg R, Haenen GR, van den Berg H, Bast A.

TNO Nutrition and Food Research, P.O. Box 360, 3700 AJ Zeist, Netherlands. R.vandenberg@voeding.tno.nl

There is increasing interest in the involvement of transcription factors, such as of the transcription factor NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappaB), in the pathogenesis of various diseases. NF-kappaB is involved in the control of the transcription of a variety of cellular genes that regulate the inflammatory response by the production of cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules and acute phase proteins. The involvement of NF-kappaB is especially of interest as it is activated by oxidative stress and its activation can be modulated by antioxidant compounds. The activation of NF-kappaB can be determined by the electromobility shift assay (EMSA) with a NF-kappaB binding-site-specific probe. EMSA can also be used on human mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood, which could make the assay applicable for clinical trials. The critical steps of the EMSA are discussed, addressing some pitfalls of the assay. The procedure that can be used to express NF-kappaB activity in human subjects is evaluated. This offers the possibility to use NF-kappaB as a functional biomarker of oxidative stress as illustrated by several examples of in vitro and in vivo studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S121-S127
Number of pages7
JournalBritish Journal of Nutrition
Volume86 suppl 1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2001

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