title: Avoid Excessive Oxygen Levels in Experiments with Organisms, Tissues and Cells.
abstract: O2 levels encountered in vivo in cells and tissues are almost always at least an order of magnitude less than atmospheric pO2 because of sensing, signalling and bioenergetic demand. Although deleterious reactions are minimized by protective mechanisms (residual toxic products scavenged and detoxified) ambient levels should be mimicked in experiments with whole organisms, their isolated organs, tissues or cells and also with cultures of cell lines. These are also important issues for microorganisms inhabiting low O2 niches within higher organisms and their cells. Here, we highlight the importance of optimization of micro-aerobic conditions for experimentation and the deleterious consequences of not doing so.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. Electronic address: lloydd@cf.ac.uk.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom; School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Catrin F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010313:Partial Pressure; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Cellular respiration; Oxidative stress; Oxygen measurement; Reactive oxygen species