Measurement of isoprostanes as markers of oxidative stress in neuronal tissue

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, including neurodegenerative disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer, as well as progressive and even normal aging processes. Increased generation of free radicals derived primarily from molecular oxygen has also been associated with neuronal damage induced by a variety of environmental agents. However, measuring oxidative stress in biological systems is complex and requires accurate quantification of either free radicals or damaged biomolecules. One method for quantifying oxidative injury is to measure lipid peroxidation caused by free radicals. One group of these peroxidation products, F₂-isoprostanes (F₂-IsoPs), is derived by free-radical peroxidation of arachidonic acid (AA). These prostaglandin F₂-like compounds are currently the most accurate measure of oxidative damage in vivo. This unit summarizes current methodology for quantifying F₂-IsoPs and discusses the utility of these and other prostaglandin (PG)-like compounds as in vivo biomarkers for oxidative stress in neuronal tissues.