In Vitro Cellular Assays for Oxidative Stress and Biomaterial Response

Generation of free radicals and oxidative stress play important roles in the physiological response to engineered biomaterials and nanoparticles. Critical to developing new materials and understanding this process is the ability to detect changes in oxidative stress and the red/ox status of cells. In this chapter, a comprehensive overview of most commonly used methods for detection of oxidative stress is presented. Specifically addressed are issues and limitations related to the choice of model (in vitro vs in vivo studies) and approach (direct detection of free radicals vs detection of indexes of oxidative stress). A comprehensive overview of the literature is provided for some of the classical methods, involving the use of highly fluorescent 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein, thiobarbituric acid reactive species test, etc., and more modern and sophisticated assays, such as the Seahorse XF, Redox proteomics for the detection of changes of cellar function, oxidative stress in contact with biomaterials and nanoparticles..