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Electrochemical quantification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen: challenges and opportunities

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Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play a crucial role in chemical signaling processes of biological cells. Electrochemistry is one of the rare methods able to directly detect these species. ROS and RNS can be monitored in the local microenvironment of cells in real time at the site where the actual signaling takes place. This review presents recent advances made with amperometric electrochemical techniques. Existing challenges for the quantification of ROS and RNS in biological systems are discussed to promote the development of innovative and reliable cell-based assays.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS & RNS) are produced biological cells. An amperometric sensor is placed in close proximity. The recorded current I is used to determine fluxes of certain species.

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Abbreviations

HEPES:

4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid

NOS:

nitric oxide synthases

RNS:

reactive nitrogen species

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

SECM:

scanning electrochemical microscope

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Acknowledgements

The author greatly appreciates the generous support from C.M. Niemeyer (Chemical Biology, Technische Universität Dortmund) and ISAS—Institute for Analytical Sciences, Dortmund. The many valuable discussions with current and former colleagues are greatly acknowledged. The author is grateful to L. Koch for help with some of the graphics.

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  1. Biologisch-Chemische Mikrostrukturtechnik, Fakultät Chemie, Technische Universität Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany

    Sabine Borgmann

  2. ISAS—Institute for Analytical Science, Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Strasse 11, 44139, Dortmund, Germany

    Sabine Borgmann

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Borgmann, S. Electrochemical quantification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen: challenges and opportunities. Anal Bioanal Chem 394, 95–105 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-2692-1

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