Selected methodologies to assess oxidative/antioxidant status in vivo: a critical review.
OBJECTIVE
This review is intended to be a critical analysis of selected red-ox methodologies aimed at understanding why the biomarker might be valuable and how it can be measured, highlighting any pitfalls and sample interferences, and describing specific cases of application.


METHODS
Over recent years, considerable efforts have been made to identify and validate the markers of the oxidative/antioxidant status of the human body.


CONCLUSIONS
Different assays must be applied simultaneously and the related information merged in order to obtain a clearer picture of red-ox status. The relevance of the markers needs to be understood in both pathological and physiological terms: more information is needed about how these markers are regulated in human beings and how they are associated with the diet, because improving health and well-being is as important as preventing the risks of disease itself.
Del Rio
D
D
Department of Public Health, Human Nutrition Unit, Parma, Italy.
Serafini
M
M
Pellegrini
N
N
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D028421:Isoprostanes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D028421:Isoprostanes; D008315:Malondialdehyde