Redox Buffer Capacity of the Cell: Theoretical and Experimental Approach

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in a variety of biological phenomena, such as mutation, carcinogenesis, inflammation, aging, development, and signal transduction. Intracellular generation of ROS might lead to the activation of redox signaling or oxidative stress. Nonetheless, it is difficult to estimate whether ROS-induced intracellular events are beneficial or deleterious to the cell. The quantitative basis of changes in the intracellular redox state of cells is not well-defined, thus leading to the dilemma that redox changes induced by oxidants in distinct cell types cannot be predicted. To overcome this limitation this study undertakes to analyze on a theoretical as well as on an experimental basis the intracellular redox state changes occurring inside cells upon addition of oxidants or reductants. 2,7-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein (H2DCF) was used to characterize the redox buffer capacity in erythrocytes. It was shown that the redox buffer capacity of erythrocytes in the relation to peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is 2.1 times lower than the redox buffer capacity of erythrocytes in the relation to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The feasibility of redox buffer capacity assessment as an innovative tool for investigation and description of redox signaling events in cells is discussed.