Rapid free radical reduction in the perfused rat liver.

The reduction of nitroxide free radicals was investigated in detail by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in perfused liver. The nitroxide free radical was rapidly reduced to the corresponding hydroxylamine more efficiently at the lower flow rate of 8 [ml/min], while at higher flow rates, the amount of reduced nitroxide showed a significant decrease. Oxidation of hydroxylamine using hydrogen peroxide provided dynamic information concerning the reduction of the free radical within the liver. In addition, liver homogenates were also investigated to determine the level of nitroxide uptake. The results suggested that a portion of the infused nitroxide was taken up by the liver and cleared from the circulation.