What Types of Biochemical Markers are Used in Toxicology?
In toxicology, biochemical markers can be categorized into three main types:
Exposure markers: These markers indicate the presence of a toxin in the body. Examples include the measurement of lead levels in blood or metabolites of a compound in urine. Effect markers: These markers reflect biological changes due to exposure. For instance, changes in liver enzymes can indicate liver damage from alcohol or drug exposure. Susceptibility markers: These indicate an individual's inherent risk of developing adverse effects from exposure. Genetic polymorphisms affecting metabolic pathways are examples.
