Developing and Testing a Microelectrode for Assaying Nitric Oxide

Voltametric studies on glassy-carbon and carbon-fiber electrodes result in the development and testing of a carbon-fiber microelectrode capable of operating in model buffer and biological solutions when monitoring nitric oxide in vivo. The Nafion-modified electrode confidently determines the NO presence in solutions containing anions NO ₂ ^? , which interfere with the assay. Once properly calibrated, it permits quantitative determination of the NO concentration in a buffer solution.     

In situ formation and scanning electrochemical microscopy assisted positioning of NO-sensors above human umbilical vein endothelial cells for the detection of nitric oxide release

Pt microelectrodes (50 μm diameter) were positioned by means of scanning electrochemical microscopy assisted z-approach curves and in situ modified with nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine tetrasodium salt as electrocatalytic layer for the specific oxidative detection of nitric oxide. The thus modified electrodes were then moved over a layer of adherently growing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in order to amperometrically detect nitric oxide (NO) released from the cells upon stimulation with bradykinin. This approach actually takes advantage of the use of SECM to define a sequential procedure that enables the in situ functionalisation of the SECM tip thus allowing to accurately control the separation between the functionalised SECM tip and the cell population.     

Quantitation of Cu+‐catalyzed Decomposition of S‐Nitrosoglutathione Using Saville and Electrochemical Detection: a Pronounced Effect of Glutathione and Copper Concentrations

S‐nitrosothiols (RSNOs) are composed of nitric oxide (NO) bound to the sulfhydryl group of amino acids of peptides or proteins. There is a great interest for their quantitation in biological fluids as they have a crucial impact on physiological and pathophysiological events. Most analytical methodologies for quantitation of RSNOs are based on their decomposition followed by the detection of the released NO. In order to obtain the optimal sensitivity for each detection method, the total decomposition of RSNOs is highly desired. The decomposition of RSNOs can be obtained by using catalytically active metal ions, such as Cu⁺, obtained from CuSO₄ in presence of a reducing agent such as glutathione (GSH) that is naturally present in biological environment. In this work, we have re‐investigated the decomposition of S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) which is the most abundant in vivo low molecular weight RSNO, with a special emphasis on the effect of CuSO₄, GSH, and GSNO concentrations and of their ratio. To this aim, GSNO decomposition optimization was performed by both indirect (Griess assay) and direct (real time electrochemical detection of NO at NO‐microsensor) quantitation methods. Our results show that the ratio between CuSO₄, GSH and GSNO should be adjusted to tune the highest decomposition rate of GSNO and the most efficient electrochemical detection of released NO; also it shows the deleterious effect of very high GSH concentration on the detection of GSNO.     

Nafion-CNT coated carbon-fiber microelectrodes for enhanced detection of adenosine

Adenosine is a neuromodulator that regulates neurotransmission. Adenosine can be monitored using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry at carbon-fiber microelectrodes and ATP is a possible interferent in vivo because the electroactive moiety, adenine, is the same for both molecules. In this study, we investigated carbon-fiber microelectrodes coated with Nafion and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to enhance the sensitivity of adenosine and decrease interference by ATP. Electrodes coated in 0.05 mg mL(-1) CNTs in Nafion had a 4.2 ± 0.2 fold increase in current for adenosine, twice as large as for Nafion alone. Nafion-CNT electrodes were 6 times more sensitive to adenosine than ATP. The Nafion-CNT coating did not slow the temporal response of the electrode. Comparing different purine bases shows that the presence of an amine group enhances sensitivity and that purines with carbonyl groups, such as guanine and hypoxanthine, do not have as great an enhancement after Nafion-CNT coating. The ribose group provides additional sensitivity enhancement for adenosine over adenine. The Nafion-CNT modified electrodes exhibited significantly more current for adenosine than ATP in brain slices. Therefore, Nafion-CNT modified electrodes are useful for sensitive, selective detection of adenosine in biological samples.     

T-Jump/FTIR技术研究3,4-二硝基呋咱基氧化呋咱快速热裂解

采用温度快速跃迁原位池与快速扫描傅里叶变换红外联用(T-Jump/FTIR)技术在0.1-0.4MPa压强范围内研究了3,4-二硝基呋咱基氧化呋咱(DNTF)的快速热裂解.试验是以1000℃·s-1的升温速率在800和1000℃的温度下进行,用快速扫描傅里叶变换红外光谱实时跟踪分析DNTF裂解的气相产物.结果表明,DNTF快速热裂解的主要产物CO、CO2、NO和NO2的相对摩尔浓度c*与温度和压强有关,通过分析相对摩尔浓度比(c*NO/c*NO2)随温度和压强的变化,揭示了DNTF中碳硝基C—NO2存在均裂生成NO2和异构化生成NO两条竞争分解的可能途径,同时压强可能抑制呋咱环和氧化呋咱环生成NO的可能性.压强升高使c*CO和c*CO2升高,而使c*CO/c*CO2下降,证明DNTF的分解中存在非均相的气相/凝聚相反应和均相的气相产物间反应的二次或三次过程.     

Chitosan-mediated in situ biomolecule assembly in completely packaged microfluidic devices

We report facile in situ biomolecule assembly at readily addressable sites in microfluidic channels after complete fabrication and packaging of the microfluidic device. Aminopolysaccharide chitosan's pH responsive and chemically reactive properties allow electric signal-guided biomolecule assembly onto conductive inorganic surfaces from the aqueous environment, preserving the activity of the biomolecules. A transparent and nonpermanently packaged device allows consistently leak-free sealing, simple in situ and ex situ examination of the assembly procedures, fluidic input/outputs for transport of aqueous solutions, and electrical ports to guide the assembly onto the patterned gold electrode sites within the channel. Both in situ fluorescence and ex situ profilometer results confirm chitosan-mediated in situ biomolecule assembly, demonstrating a simple approach to direct the assembly of biological components into a completely fabricated device. We believe that this strategy holds significant potential as a simple and generic biomolecule assembly approach for future applications in complex biomolecular or biosensing analyses as well as in sophisticated microfluidic networks as anticipated for future lab-on-a-chip devices.     

Reaction of the radical pair NO2* and CO3*- with 2-[6-(4'-amino)phenoxy-3H-xanthen-3-on-9-yl]benzoic acid (APF)

The fluorogenic indicator 2-[6-(4'-amino)phenoxy-3H-xanthen-3-on-9-yl]benzoic acid (APF) is used widely to detect and measure reactive nitrogen and oxygen species such as peroxynitrite, ONOO-, both in vivo and in vitro. We present in this work the results of a combined computational and experimental study to provide insights into the mechanism of the reaction of APF with the radical products of ONOO- reaction with CO2, namely NO2* and CO3*-. The experimental study on the inhibition of APF oxidation by HCO3- suggests that a direct reaction of APF with nitrosoperoxycarbonate, ONOOCO2-, is unlikely. The mechanism of APF action on NO2* and CO3*- was investigated using gas-phase and solvent modeled calculations at the MPW1K/6-311+G(d)//MPW1K/6-31G(d) level of theory. Our computational results suggest that two-electron oxidation of APF takes place in two rapid one-electron oxidation steps, the first being a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) between APF and NO2*, followed by addition of CO3*- and subsequent decomposition of the adduct to yield fluorescein.     

Planar nitric oxide (NO)-selective ultramicroelectrode sensor for measuring localized NO surface concentrations at xerogel microarrays

A planar ultramicroelectrode nitric oxide (NO) sensor was fabricated to measure the local NO surface concentrations from NO-releasing microarrays of varying geometries. The sensor consisted of platinized Pt (25 microm) working electrode and a silver paint reference electrode coated with a thin silicone rubber gas permeable membrane. An internal hydrogel layer separated the Pt working electrode and gas permeable membrane. The total diameter of the sensor was 相似文献   

Electrochemical Sensors for Nitric Oxide Detection in Biological Applications

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in physiological processes and it has been confirmed some human diseases are related to its biological function. Electrochemical sensors provide an efficient way to explore the NO function in biological processes. This review details different kinds of electrochemical sensors used for NO concentration detection between 2008 and 2013 together with their application in biological samples. Four commonly used electrodes and different assisted analysis membranes used for contributions towards the development of the novel sensors were summarized. Electrochemical sensors employed to measure NO concentration in a single cell, cell culture, tissue homogenate, organ, in vivo, human being, as well as in plant were also detailed. The trends of developing novel NO sensors were outlooked in the last part.     

Carbon-fiber microelectrodes modified with 4-sulfobenzene have increased sensitivity and selectivity for catecholamines

Elliptical and cylindrical geometries of carbon-fiber microelectrodes were modified by covalent attachment of 4-sulfobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate following its electroreduction. Elliptical electrodes fabricated from Thornel P-55 carbon fibers show the highest amount of 4-sulfobenzene attached to the electrode. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry was used to compare the response to dopamine and other neurochemicals at these modified carbon-fiber microelectrodes. The grafted layer causes an increased sensitivity to dopamine and other positively charged analytes that is due to increased adsorption of analyte in the grafted layer. However, this layer remains permeable to negatively charged compounds. Modified electrodes retain the increased sensitivity for dopamine during measurements in mouse brain tissue.     

Measurement of nitric oxide by 4,5-diaminofluorescein without interferences

The fluorescent reagent 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) has been widely used for specific and quantitative measurements of nitric oxide (NO) in biological tissues. Recently it was reported that dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and ascorbic acid (AA) interfere with the measurement of NO using DAF-2. A new method of assaying NO using DAF-2 eliminates these interferences; when frozen on dry ice, the NO in the original solution still diffuses and can react with an adjacent frozen block of DAF-2, but the confounding compounds such as DHA do not. Thus, placing the microliter-volume frozen blocks of solutions containing NO and the solutions of DAF-2 adjacent to each other for 30 min results in the concentration dependent formation of fluorescent product (DAF-2T) from the reaction of NO with DAF-2. The product has been characterized and the method validated using both fluorescence spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection. With this approach, the presence of DHA and AA does not interfere with NO measurements, and product formation is inhibited in the presence of NO scavengers added to either of the solutions before freezing. The contactless DAF-2 method successfully assays NO in nitric oxide synthase-positive vertebrate and invertebrate tissues. This method allows nondestructive NO detection in biological samples that can subsequently be used for morphological and/or biochemical studies.     

Carbon nanotube-modified microelectrodes for simultaneous detection of dopamine and serotonin in vivo

Dopamine and serotonin are important neurotransmitters that interact in the brain. While dopamine is easily detected with electrochemical sensors, the detection of serotonin is more difficult because reactive species formed after oxidation can adsorb to the electrode, reducing sensitivity. Carbon nanotube treatments of electrodes have been used to increase the sensitivity, promote electron transfer, and reduce fouling. Most methods have focused on nanotube coatings of large electrodes and slower electrochemical techniques that are not conducive to measurements in vivo. In this study, we investigated carbon-fiber microelectrodes modified with single-walled carbon nanotubes for the co-detection of dopamine and serotonin in vivo. Using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, S/N ratios for the neurotransmitters increased after nanotube coating. Electrocatalytic effects of nanotubes were not apparent at fast scan rates but faster kinetics were observed with slower scanning. Nanotube-modified microelectrodes showed significantly less fouling after exposure to serotonin than bare electrodes. The nanotube-modified electrodes were used to monitor stimulated dopamine and serotonin changes simultaneously in the striatum of anesthetized rat after administration of a serotonin synthetic precursor. These studies show that nanotube-coated microelectrodes can be used with fast scanning techniques and are advantageous for in vivo measurements of neurotransmitters because of their greater sensitivity and resistance to fouling.     

Zinc thiolate reactivity toward nitrogen oxides: insights into the interaction of Zn2+ with S-nitrosothiols and implications for nitric oxide synthase

Zinc thiolate complexes containing N(2)S tridentate ligands were prepared to investigate their reactivity toward reactive nitrogen species, chemistry proposed to occur at the zinc tetracysteine thiolate site of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The complexes are unreactive toward nitric oxide (NO) in the absence of dioxygen, strongly indicating that NO cannot be the species directly responsible for S-nitrosothiol formation and loss of Zn(2+) at the NOS dimer interface in vivo. S-Nitrosothiol formation does occur upon exposure of zinc thiolate solutions to NO in the presence of air, however, or to NO(2) or NOBF(4), indicating that these reactive nitrogen/oxygen species are capable of liberating zinc from the enzyme, possibly through generation of the S-nitrosothiol. Interaction between simple Zn(2+) salts and preformed S-nitrosothiols leads to decomposition of the -SNO moiety, resulting in release of gaseous NO and N(2)O. The potential biological relevance of this chemistry is discussed.     

Effect of hemoglobin on the NO-donor ability of μ<Superscript>2</Superscript>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-bis(pyrimidine-2-thiolato)tetranitrosyldiiron

The hydrolysis of the iron nitrosyl complex [Fe₂(μ₂-SC₄H₃N₂)₂(NO)₄](C₄H₃N₂S^? is pyrimidine-2-thiolate) in the presence of hemoglobin (Hb) is accompanied by the NO release into a solution. In the absence of Hb, the starting complex is oxidized by nitric oxide that is released into a solution, which leads to further transformations of NO, nitric oxide being present in the solution only partially. The effective rate constant for the decomposition of the complex is high and depends on its concentration. On the one hand, in the presence of Hb, NO molecules rapidly and irreversibly bind to Hb to form HbNO, which is the intermediate in the nitric oxide metabolism. On the other hand, the reversible binding of the iron nitrosyl complex to the surface functional groups of Hb leads to a decrease in its concentration in a solution and deceleration of the formation of NO. Therefore, Hb can ensure the complete and more prolonged assimilation of NO.     

Compartmentalized nanocomposite for dynamic nitric oxide release

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important cell-signaling molecule whose role in a variety of cellular processes such as differentiation and apoptosis depends strongly on its concentration and flux levels. This work describes and characterizes a novel nitric oxide releasing nanocomposite, capable of photostimulated NO flux that can by dynamically modulated in within a range of biological levels. This material mimics the common compartmentalization strategies used by living cells to achieve its novel features. The material is constructed by encapsulating a photosensitive nitric oxide donor within lipid vesicles with an average diameter of 150 nm. The vesicles are then doped into the interstitial liquid phase of a solid porous silica matrix, which has previously demonstrated biological compatibility and capabilities as a growth surface for mammalian cells. Stimulation by a light source produces a step increase in NO concentration within seconds. The NO flux at the surface of the material is measured to be 14 pmol-cm(-2) sec(-1) using a NO selective self-referencing amperometric microsensor. The NO concentration profile decreases with distance perpendicular to the surface as expected for diffusion from a surface through an aqueous environment. A pattern of one minute light pulses produced uniform pulses of increased NO concentration of one minute duration. A linear relationship exists between NO surface concentration and photon flux, and this relationship can be used to tune the material response.     

“Off–on” red-emitting fluorescent probes with large Stokes shifts for nitric oxide imaging in living cells

Fluorescent probes with larger Stokes shifts in the far-visible and near-infrared spectral region (600–900 nm) are more superior for cellular imaging and biological analysis due to avoiding light scattering interference, reducing autofluorescence from biological sample and encouraging deeper tissue penetration in vivo imaging. In this work, two bis-methoxyphenyl-BODIPY fluorescent probes for the detection of nitric oxide (NO) have been firstly synthesized. Under physiological conditions, these probes can react with NO to form the corresponding triazoles with 250- and 70-fold turn-on fluorescence emitting at 590 and 620 nm, respectively. Moreover, the triazole forms of these probes have large Stokes shifts of 38 nm, in contrast to 10 nm of existing BODIPY probes for NO. Excellent selectivity has been observed against other reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, ascorbic acid and biological matrix. After the evaluation of MTT assay, new fluorescent probes have been successfully applied to fluorescence imaging of NO released from RAW 264.7 macrophages by co-stimulation of lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ. The experimental results indicate that our fluorescent probes can be powerful candidates for fluorescence imaging of NO due to the low background interference and high detection sensitivity.     

Quantification of noise sources for amperometric measurement of quantal exocytosis using microelectrodes

Electrochemical microelectrodes are commonly used to record amperometric spikes of current that result from oxidation of transmitter released from individual vesicles during exocytosis. Whereas the exquisite sensitivity of these measurements is well appreciated, a better understanding of the noise sources that limit the resolution of the technique is needed to guide the design of next-generation devices. We measured the current power spectral density (S(I)) of electrochemical microelectrodes to understand the physical basis of dominant noise sources and to determine how noise varies with the electrode material and geometry. We find that the current noise is thermal in origin in that S(I) is proportional to the real part of the admittance of the electrode. The admittance of microelectrodes is well described by a constant phase element model such that both the real and imaginary admittance increase with frequency raised to a power of 0.84-0.96. Our results demonstrate that the current standard deviation is proportional to the square root of the area of the working electrode, increases ～linearly with the bandwidth of the recording, and varies with the choice of the electrode material with Au ≈ carbon fiber > nitrogen-doped diamond-like carbon > indium-tin-oxide. Contact between a cell and a microelectrode does not appreciably increase noise. Surface-patterned microchip electrodes can have a noise performance that is superior to that of carbon-fiber microelectrodes of the same area.     

Overoxidation of carbon-fiber microelectrodes enhances dopamine adsorption and increases sensitivity

The voltammetric responses of carbon-fiber microelectrodes with a 1.0 V and a 1.4 V anodic limit were compared in this study. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize the response to dopamine and several other neurochemicals. An increase in the adsorption properties of the carbon fiber leads to an increase in sensitivity of 9 fold in vivo. However the temporal response of the sensor is slower with the more positive anodic limit. Increased electron transfer kinetics also causes a decrease in the relative sensitivity for dopamine vs. other neurochemicals, and a change in their cyclic voltammograms. Stimulated release in the caudate-putamen was pharmacologically characterized in vivo using Ro-04-1284 and pargyline, and was consistent with that expected for dopamine.     

Exogenous donors of nitric oxide (a chemical aspect)

The review considers problems related to the formation, in the living organism, of nitric oxide, a versatile and vitally important regulator of cell metabolism. The pathways of formation of endogenous nitric oxide from L-arginine are discussed and the main approaches to increasing the NO concentration by introducing various types of exogenous nitric oxide donors into the organism and chemical and biological characteristics of these donors are considered. Primary attention is devoted to the known drugs that were shown to release NO under hydrolytic, oxidative, or reductive conditions. The solution of problems related to the elucidation of the mechanisms of drug action requires that the formation of nitric oxide be taken into account.