Do human neutrophils make hydroxyl radical? Determination of free radicals generated by human neutrophils activated with a soluble or particulate stimulus using electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry

Applications of electron spin resonance spectroscopy to the identification of radicals produced during lipid peroxidation

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, which is the only commonly available method for directly detecting free radicals in biological systems, has now been quite extensively used to study radicals produced by metabolism of xenobiotic chemicals and the interaction of such species with lipid molecules. This review examines a variety of different xenobiotic systems and tissues and summarises the information obtained from these studies, with particular reference to the elucidation of the nature of the radicals involved in the initiation and propagation of lipid peroxidation.

Studies on the origin of the hydroxyl spin adduct of DMPO produced from the stimulation of neutrophils by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate

The spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), is commonly used for the detection of short-lived free radicals produced by neutrophils during their respiratory burst. The spin adducts of both the superoxide ion (O2-) and the hydroxyl radical (.OH) are detectable during this process. Since myeloperoxidase (MPO), which is also active during the respiratory burst, produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl) (HOCl) in the presence of chloride ions (Cl-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), this species has been investigated as a possible source of the DMPO-OH adduct. At concentrations of hypochlorous acid between 0.1 and 0.7 mumol/ml the DMPO-OH spin adduct is detected using electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques. Two possible mechanisms for the formation of this adduct are proposed. These findings suggest that the product of MPO, namely hypochlorous acid, is a possible source of the hydroxyl spin adduct detected during the respiratory burst.