In situ detection, by spin trapping, of hydroxyl radical markers produced from ionizing radiation in the tumor of a living mouse.

Hydroxyl radicals are thought to be responsible for the toxicity associated with ionizing radiation in tissues. Measurements of hydroxyl radicals generated by ionizing radiation in cellular systems have failed thus far to elucidate higher-level homeostatic responses to this and other reactive oxygen species. Careful assessment of prior indirect hydroxyl radical assays in living tissues indicates that they are prone to a variety of artifacts, making all but the most qualitative relationships difficult to establish. This paper describes the detection of hydroxyl radicals produced during radiation in the leg tumor of a living mouse, where the free radicals evolve; detection uses low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance in combination with in vivo spin trapping. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a direct measurement of free radical production in the tissues of a living animals.