Contribution of spin-trapping EPR techniques for the measurement of NO production in biological systems

Abstract

In this overview of NO spin-trapping methods, we have pointed out their main advantages over frozen solution EPR spectroscopy detection of nitrosylated metalloproteins: improved sensitivity, potential specificity and time-resolution. A few simple ideas concerning EPR methodology have been recalled. Examples of possible artefacts, sometimes unexpected, which can easily be encountered in any analytical methods have been described. New methodological developments have also been mentioned.