Detection of oxygen-derived radicals in biological systems using electron spin resonance.

Oxygen-centered radicals, particularly the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, have been postulated in many biochemical reactions and have been implicated in many adverse reactions in vivo. This article begins with a review of spin-trapping detection of oxygen-centered radicals in vitro and concludes with a presentation of our approach to the detection of the hydroxyl radicals in models of acute iron and copper poisoning.