title: A critical assessment of some biomarker approaches linked with dietary intake.
abstract: In this review many examples are given of the complexities involved in using some biomarkers in relation to assessing the effects of dietary exposure, when there is frequently a need to determine changes following long-term low level exposure to dietary components. These range from understanding why the biomarker might be valuable and how best it can be measured, to the pitfalls which can occur in the interpretation of data. Analytical technique is considered in relation to folate and selenium, and flavonoid and carotenoid species are used to illustrate how the metabolism of a compound may alter the validity or adequacy of a marker. Vitamin A is discussed in relation to the difficulties which can arise when there are several biomarkers that may be available to assess exposure to one nutrient. Vitamin B12 is discussed in relation to the dietary choices made by individuals. Possible interactions and the role of measuring total antioxidant capacity is considered in some detail. In contrast to most nutrients, there is a marked lack of biomarkers of either exposure or effect for most non-nutrients. The role of biological effect monitoring is considered for dietary contaminants, fumonisins and polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. Aflatoxins are discussed to exemplify food contaminants for which the biomarker approach has been extensively studied. Finally some compounds which are deliberately added to foods and some which appear as processing contaminants are each considered briefly in relation to the requirement for a biomarker of exposure to be developed.
authors.affiliation: Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK. h.crews@csl.gov.uk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Crews
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alink
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Braesco
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maiani
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ovesen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scotter
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solfrizzo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Verhagen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001937:Brassica; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D003906:Developing Countries; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005503:Food Additives / Q000032:analysis*; D005504:Food Analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008460:Meat; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014804:Vitamin B Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D005419:Flavonoids; D005503:Food Additives; D005609:Free Radicals; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids; D005492:Folic Acid; D012643:Selenium; D014805:Vitamin B 12