Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by living organisms as a result of normal cellular metabolism. Under normal physiological conditions, oxidative damage is prevented by the regulation of ROS by the antioxidant network. However, increased ROS and decreased antioxidant defense may contribute to many brain disorders, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Noninvasive assessment of brain redox status is necessary for monitoring the disease state and the oxidative damage. Continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (CW-EPR) imaging using redox-sensitive imaging probes, such as nitroxides, is a powerful method for visualizing the redox status modulated by oxidative stress in vivo. For conventional CW-EPR imaging, however, poor signal-to-noise ratio, low acquisition efficiency, and lack of anatomic visualization limit its ability to achieve three-dimensional redox mapping of small rodent brains. In this review, we discuss the instrumentation and coregistration of EPR images to anatomical images and appropriate nitroxide imaging probes, all of which are needed for a sophisticated in vivo EPR imager for all rodents. Using new EPR imaging systems, site-specific distribution and kinetics of nitroxide imaging probes in rodent brains can be obtained more accurately, compared to previous EPR imaging systems. We also describe the redox imaging studies of animal models of brain disease using newly developed EPR imaging.

The applications of in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) or electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy have been impressive over a relatively short period despite the many obstacles which had to be overcome, such as dielectric absorption and biodestruction. The loop–gap resonators and modified loop coil systems have emerged as the most suitable resonators for in vivo EPR experiments. This paper briefly discusses instrumental aspects as a prelude to several examples related to the in vivo monitoring and detection of bioradicals. Recent progress in detection of bioradicals induced by drugs or chemicals is discussed with regard to nitrosocompounds, nitric oxide and metals in vivo. A clinical EPR application is also discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

As interest in the study of antioxidant intake from foods and other agricultural products increases, methods for performing radical scavenging activity assays based on the electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic method, in which there is no interference from the sample color and turbidity, are required. In this study, we have developed a rapid and simple electron paramagnetic resonance based assay to evaluate the alkylperoxyl radical scavenging activity of several antioxidants. The alkylperoxyl radical species was generated by the photolysis of azo-radical initiator 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile), in which the radical generation rate and period were controlled by the illumination light. The relative alkylperoxyl radical scavenging activity was obtained by a simple formula of competing reaction of antioxidant and spin trap toward the oxygen radical. The scavenging activities toward alkylperoxyl radical and alkoxy radical species were evaluated in six antioxidants. Although quercetin showed the highest activity toward both radicals, the order of the relative activities in the other antioxidants was different mutually between the alkylperoxyl radical and the alkoxyl radical. This alkylperoxyl radical scavenging activity assay based on electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy is useful for evaluation of colored and turbid food samples.