Abstract
Free radicals play a pivotal role in cell physiology as “gaseous messengers/transmitters.” The radical superoxide (O2·−) and H2O2 molecules are called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS); nitric oxide and peroxynitrite are named Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS). All these species constitute an integrated cellular signaling system. ROS and RNS act on cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis, thus becoming potential anticancer drugs. Because of their chemical instability and short half-life, they cannot be used directly. In this work, we describe an original methodology to produce an aqueous mixture of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in which the gas transmitter molecules derived from the dioxygen and nitrogen oxide have sufficient chemical stability, suitable for in vitro studies of cell physiology. This technique is based on the generation of an electron beam obtained through an inverse sputtering electron device. The result is a gaseous mixture of allotropes of both oxygen and nitrogen in trace amounts, later dissolved in an aqueous phase. This mixture is defined either with the acronym OPL® (Ossigeno Poliatomico Liquido) or PLO® (Polyatomic Liquid Oxygen) or OPL-RONS®. We report herein the chemical characterization of PLO. The stability of PLO makes it suitable for in vivo studies and medical applications.
Highlights
Free radicals are highly reactive chemical species, and for this reason, they are characterized by a very short half-life
We describe an original methodology to produce an aqueous mixture of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in which the gas transmitter molecules derived from the dioxygen and nitrogen oxide have sufficient chemical stability, suitable for in vitro studies of cell physiology
The method allows us to obtain different types of RONS aqueous mixtures with different concentrations of radicals depending on the needs, which we indicate with the acronym OPL⃝R (Ossigeno Poliatomico Liquido) or PLO⃝R (Polyatomic Liquid Oxygen)
Summary
Free radicals are highly reactive chemical species, and for this reason, they are characterized by a very short half-life. They are made up of several atoms or just one atom with unpaired electronic arrangement that makes them extremely reactive. The Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are characterized by a strong oxidative capacity, greater than the molecular oxygen, which in water shows a redox potential of −0.16 V. The hydroxyl radical (OH⋅) has a large reduction potential of 2.31 V (pH 7), while molecular oxygen (O2) shows a potential of −0.16 V, the weak oxidative activity essential for an efficient mitochondrial function. Molecular oxygen is the last electron acceptor in the final part of oxidative scitation.org/journal/adv phosphorylation due to its favorable reduction potential compared to water
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