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Analysis of Free Radicals in Biological Systems pp 145–164Cite as

Ascorbate radical: A valuable marker of oxidative stress

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Summary

The ascorbate anion is an endogenous water-soluble antioxidant that is present in biological systems. The one-electron oxidation of ascorbate produces the ascorbate free radical that is easily detectable by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). even in room temperature aqueous solution. The ascorbate radical has a relatively long lifetime compared to other free radicals, such as hydroxyl, peroxyl, and carbon-centered lipid radicals. This longer lifetime in conjunction with its relatively narrow EPR linewidth makes it easily detectable by EPR. In this essay we describe the EPR detection of the ascorbate radical and its use as a marker of oxidative stress.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Free Radical Research Institute, EMRB 68, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242-1101, USA

    G. R. Buettner & B. A. Jurkiewicz

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  1. G. R. Buettner
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biochimie C, CHU Albert Michallon, BP 217, F-38043, Grenoble Cédex 9, France

    A. E. Favier

  2. CEA/Département de Recherche Fondamentale sur la Matière, Condensée, SESAM/LAN, 17, rue des Martyrs, F-38054, Grenoble Cédex 9, France

    J. Cadet

  3. Biophysics Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, PO Box 26509, Milwaukee, WI, 53226-0509, USA

    B. Kalyanaraman

  4. Laboratoire de Biochimie Recherche, Domaine Universitaire, F-38400, Saint Martin d’Hères, France

    M. Fontecave

  5. Laboratoire de Chimie Biomimétique LEDSS II, Domaine Universitaire, F-38400, Saint Martin d’Hères, France

    J.-L. Pierre

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Buettner, G.R., Jurkiewicz, B.A. (1995). Ascorbate radical: A valuable marker of oxidative stress. In: Favier, A.E., Cadet, J., Kalyanaraman, B., Fontecave, M., Pierre, JL. (eds) Analysis of Free Radicals in Biological Systems. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-9074-8_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-9074-8_11

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