Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a key regulator of endothelial cell and vascular function. The direct measurement of NO is challenging due to its short half-life, and as such surrogate measurements are typically used to approximate its relative concentrations. Here we demonstrate that ruthenium-based [Ru(bpy) 2 (dabpy)] 2+ is a potent sensor for NO in its irreversible, NO-bound active form, [Ru(bpy) 2 (T-bpy)] 2+ . Using spectrophotometry we established the sensor’s ability to detect and measure soluble NO in a concentration-dependent manner in cell-free media. Endothelial cells cultured with acetylcholine or hydrogen peroxide to induce endogenous NO production showed modest increases of 7.3 ± 7.1% and 36.3 ± 25.0% respectively in fluorescence signal from baseline state, while addition of exogenous NO increased their fluorescence by 5.2-fold. The changes in fluorescence signal were proportionate and comparable against conventional NO assays. Rabbit blood samples immediately exposed to [Ru(bpy) 2 (dabpy)] 2+ displayed 8-fold higher mean fluorescence, relative to blood without sensor. Approximately 14% of the observed signal was NO/NO adduct-specific. Optimal readings were obtained when sensor was added to freshly collected blood, remaining stable during subsequent freeze-thaw cycles. Clinical studies are now required to test the utility of [Ru(bpy) 2 (dabpy)] 2+ as a sensor to detect changes in NO from human blood samples in cardiovascular health and disease.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1720 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Scientific Reports |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2019 |