Evaluation of In Vivo Free Radical Activity during Endotoxic Shock Using Scavengers, Electron Microscopy, Spin Traps, and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Abstract

Controversy exists concerning the involvement of free radical activity during sepsis and endotoxic shock as evidence has accumulated that both implicate and eliminate free radicals in the pathophysiologic events that occur during these disease processes. The majority of these data are from studies utilizing scavengers or inhibitors of lipid peroxidation to attenuate the activity resulting from excessive free radical generation and as such represent only indirect evidence of the presence of free radicals. This study employed methodology combining spin trapping techniques with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy¹ to directly verify the presence of in vivo free radical generation in the conscious endotoxic rat.² Additionally, myocardial structure has been evaluated using transmission electron microscopy to assess the effect of a hydroxyl radical scavenger on endotoxin-induced injury to the myocardium.³