Issue 43, 2024

A critical factor in reactive oxygen species (ROS) studies: the need to understand the chemistry of the solvent used: the case of DMSO

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play critical roles in normal physiological processes including cellular signaling and immune responses. Various pathological conditions including infections of various types, inflammation, cancer, and respiratory conditions are associated with elevated levels of ROS. Therefore, there is widespread interest in understanding ROS concentrations under various pathophysiological conditions for diagnostic and therapeutic applications including ROS-triggered drug delivery. However, in determining ROS concentration, there are major concerns of inappropriate use of various methods that lead to erroneous results; this has prompted the publication of a consensus paper in Nature Metabolism by a group of ROS experts stating “Unfortunately, the application and interpretation of these measurements are fraught with challenges and limitations. This can lead to misleading claims.” Along this line, we have identified an overlooked factor, which can significantly skew the results and results interpretation: the organic co-solvent. DMSO is one of the most widely used organic co-solvents to dissolve a reagent for bioassays. Herein, we describe the rapid oxidation of DMSO by hypochlorite and how this oxidation impacts results of ROS determination in buffer, cell culture media, cell culture, and cell lysates. We hope to use this one example to draw attention to the convoluted roles that DMSO and possibly other organic co-solvents can play and skew experimental results. We also hope to stimulate additional studies to bring more rigor to studying ROS concentration and biology.

Graphical abstract: A critical factor in reactive oxygen species (ROS) studies: the need to understand the chemistry of the solvent used: the case of DMSO

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
28 Jul 2024
Accepted
04 Oct 2024
First published
08 Oct 2024
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 17843-17851

A critical factor in reactive oxygen species (ROS) studies: the need to understand the chemistry of the solvent used: the case of DMSO

S. Bansal and B. Wang, Chem. Sci., 2024, 15, 17843 DOI: 10.1039/D4SC05038J

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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