Generation of Singlet Oxygen and Hydroxyl Radical from Sodium Chlorite and Lactic Acid

Abstract

Reperfusion of ischemic tissue is associated with the formation of hydroxyl radical (OH.). In this report, a novel mechanism for (OH.) generation from (¹O₂) is proposed based on the experimental evidence from the present study. A number of experiments were performed which conclusively demonstrated the formation of ¹O₂ from the reaction of lactic acid and hypohalite radical. Singlet oxygen attacks the unsaturated olefinic derivatives, which are also formed during reperfusion of ischemic tissue. The reaction between ¹O₂ and olefinic compounds produces hydroperoxides, which ultimately form OH. radical. The validity of the above mechanism of OH. radical formation is warranted from our experimentsl results.

Key Words:

• Singlet oxygen
• hydroxyl radical
• ischemia
• reperfusion
• heart
• polymorphonuclear leukocytes