Methods for estimating lipid peroxidation: An analysis of merits and demerits

Devasagayam, TPA and Boloor, KK and Ramasarma, T (2003) Methods for estimating lipid peroxidation: An analysis of merits and demerits. In: Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics, 40 (5). pp. 300-308.

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Abstract

Among the cellular molecules, lipids that contain unsaturated fatty acids with more than one double bond are particularly susceptible to action of free radicals. The resulting reaction, known as lipid peroxidation, disrupts biological membranes and is thereby highly deleterious to their structure and function. Lipid peroxidation is being studied extensively in relation to disease, modulation by antioxidants and other contexts. A large number of by-products are formed during this process. These can be measured by different assays. The most common method used is the estimation of aldehydic products by their ability to react with thiobarbituric acid (TBA) that yield 'thiobarbituric acid reactive substances' (TBARS), which can be easily measured by spectrophotometry. Though this assay is sensitive and widely used, it is not specific and TBA reacts with a number of components present in biological samples. Hence caution should be used while employing this method. Wherever possible this assay should be combined with other assays for lipid peroxidation. Such methol are measurement of conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides, individual aldehydes, exhaled gases like pentane, isoprostanes, etc. The modern methods also involve newer techniques involving HPLC, spectrofluorimetry, mass spectrometry, chemiluminescence etc. These and other modem methods are more specific and can be applied to measure lipid peroxidation. There are certain restraints, in terms of high cost and certain artifacts, and these should be considered while selecting the method for estimation. This review analyses the merits and demerits of various assays to measure lipid peroxidation.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics
Publisher:	National Institute of Science
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to National Institute of Science
Keywords:	lipid peroxidation;thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; malondialdehyde;polyunsaturated fatty acid; conjugated dienes;lipid hydroperoxides;estimation.
Department/Centre:	Division of Chemical Sciences > Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2009 06:53
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:55
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/17129

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