Superoxide Anion Radical: Generation and Detection in Cellular and Non-Cellular Systems

Author(s)

Chiste, Renan Campos ^[1] ; Freitas, Marisa ^[1] ; Mercadante, Adriana Zerlotti ^[2] ; Fernandes, Eduarda ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Porto FFUP, UCIBIO REQUIMTE, Dept Chem Sci, Fac Pharm, P-4050313 Oporto - Portugal

^[2] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Fac Food Engn, Dept Food Sci, BR-13083862 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry; v. 22, n. 37, p. 4234-4256, 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

The production of superoxide anion radical (O-2 center dot(-)) is essential for the life of aerobic organisms. This free radical acts as a signaling molecule, regulating numerous biological processes including apoptosis, aging, and senescence. Nevertheless, when overproduction of O-2 center dot(-) occurs and/or antioxidant defences are deficient, oxidative stress may develop, damaging important biomolecules and altering their physiological function. These effects have been associated to the development of several diseases. Scavenging of O-2 center dot(-) has been used as a hallmark to test the antioxidant capacity of several types of compounds in cellular and non-cellular systems. However, despite the pathophysiological importance of O-2 center dot(-), the information about its endogenous and/or chemical generation and detection is dispersed and there are no reports that concisely cover the information in an integrated form. This gap can explain the limitations attributed to the currently used systems, namely in what concerns the selectivity, specificity and validation. This review attempts to provide a critical assessment of the available O-2 center dot(-) generating and detection, both in endogenous and chemical systems, scrutinizing its advantages and limitations in order to facilitate the choice and implementation of the O-2 center dot(-) generator and/or detection method that better fits the researchers' objectives. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/15343-5 - Development and validation of methodologies for the determination of the antioxidant capacity of carotenoids against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species
• Grantee: Renan Campos Chisté
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center
• Grantee: Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC