Hemin as a Molecular Probe for Nitric Oxide Detection in Physiological Solutions: Experimental and Theoretical Assessment

Anal Chem. 2024 May 14;96(19):7763-7771. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01516. Epub 2024 May 3.

Abstract

Given its pivotal role in modulating various pathological processes, precise measurement of nitric oxide (NO) levels in physiological solutions is imperative. The key techniques include the ozone-based chemiluminescence (CL) reactions, amperometric NO sensing, and Griess assay, each with its advantages and drawbacks. In this study, a hemin/H2O2/luminol CL reaction was employed for accurately detecting NO in diverse solutions. We investigated how the luminescence kinetics was influenced by NO from two donors, nitrite and peroxynitrite, while also assessing the impact of culture medium components and reactive species quenchers. Furthermore, we experimentally and theoretically explored the mechanism of hemin oxidation responsible for the initiation of light generation. Although both hemin and NO enhanced the H2O2/luminol-based luminescence reactions with distinct kinetics, hemin's interference with NO/peroxynitrite- modulated their individual effects. Leveraging the propagated signal due to hemin, the NO levels in solution were estimated, observing parallel changes to those detected via amperometric detection in response to varying concentrations of the NO-donor. The examined reactions aid in comprehending the mechanism of NO/hemin/H2O2/luminol interactions and how these can be used for detecting NO in solution with minimal sample size demands. Moreover, the selectivity across different solutions can be improved by incorporating certain quenchers for reactive species into the reaction.

MeSH terms

  • Hemin* / chemistry
  • Hydrogen Peroxide* / analysis
  • Hydrogen Peroxide* / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Luminol / chemistry
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry
  • Nitric Oxide* / analysis
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Peroxynitrous Acid / analysis
  • Peroxynitrous Acid / chemistry
  • Solutions