Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered and characterized a novel endogenous cyclic glutathione (GSH) adduct (TOG) which represents the first member of a new class of biomarkers that can be used to quantify intracellular oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disease. It occurs as a result of increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which in turn can cause increased lipid peroxidation mediated damage to DNA and proteins. TOG could be used as a biomarker in basic research and clinical studies, and also could be used as a biomarker to measure the efficiency of various drugs which are being developed to treat asthma and cardiovascular disease.