Lipid peroxidation is a well-established mechanism of cellular injury in both plants and animals, and is used as an indicator of oxidative stress in cells and tissues. Lipid peroxides, derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, are unstable and decompose to form a complex series of compounds. These include reactive aldehydes, of which the most abundant is malondialdehyde (MDA). Therefore, measurement of malondialdehyde is widely used as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation products have been associated with a variety of chronic diseases in both humans and model systems.
MDA reacts readily with amino groups on proteins and other biomolecules to form a variety of adducts, including cross-linked products
The TBARS method is commonly used to measure MDA in biological samples. However, this reaction is relatively nonspecific; both free and protein-bound MDA can react. The method is designed to assay free MDA or, after a hydrolysis step, total MDA (i.e., free and protein-bound Schiff base conjugates). The assay conditions serve to minimize interference from other lipid peroxidation products, such as 4-hydroxyalkenals.
MDA also forms adducts with DNA bases that are mutagenic and possibly carcinogenic. DNA-protein cross-links are another result of the reaction between DNA and MDA.
Delivery information: Kit includes Reagent R1: N-methyl-2-phenylindole, in acetonitrile (3x18 mL), Reagent R2: Conc. Hydrochloric acid (1x16.5 mL), MDA Standard: 1,1,3,3-tetramethoxypropane (TMOP) in Tris-hydrochloric acid (1 mL), BHT Butylated hydroxytoluene in acetonitrile (2 mL), Probucol in methanol (1.1 mL), Methanol (30 mL).
