NMR Relaxation Measurements as a Tool for Observation of Oxidative Processes |
| D. Wierzuchowskaa, L.W. Skórski b and B. Blicharska b
aInstitute of Physics, Pedagogical University, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland bInstitute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, S. Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Kraków, Poland |
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| Water proton relaxation times, T1 and T2, were measured to assess the kinetics of the oxidative processes in biological samples. The oxidation in aqueous solutions of albumins was promoted by an addition of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Immediately following this addition a sharp exponential decrease of both relaxation times was observed. As we confirmed experimentally, the time course of relaxation depended on several essential factors like structure and the concentration of proteins and also the presence of antioxidants added to solution. In experiments with protein solutions containing a small amount of ascorbic acid, after reaching a minimum, relaxation time increased towards the initial (pre-addition H2O2) values. We conclude that this T1 and T2 recovery is a consequence of the presence of antioxidants and may be used to evaluate its action. This study demonstrates that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurements may be useful in evaluating free radicals reactions and antioxidants capacity. |
DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.129.226 PACS numbers: 76.60.-k, 76.90.+d, 76.30.Rn |