Spectrophotometric Methods

Spectrophotometry is one of the most used analytical techniques in clinical practice due to its accessibility, accuracy, versatility, and low cost. This technique has been widely used for the measurement of multiple oxidative biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes, protein carbonyls, glutathione (GSH), protein thiols, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and vitamin C. Several spectrophotometric methods based on the reaction of reactive species (RS) (e.g., nitrites, superoxide, and hydrogen peroxide) with a variety of sensors have been developed and are now available on the market. However, production of RS by the sensors themselves and perturbation of the studied systems by the probes represent a major limitation for these methods. Here, we present multiple spectrophotometric methods that can be applied in diverse clinical settings for use in diagnosis and prognosis. We specifically consider their advantages and limitations and offer solutions in unpredictable situations.