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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
Ratiometric Microscale Electrochemical Sensor for In-Situ Monitoring of Oxidative Stress Induced Ascorbic Acid
Tongtong Wan1, Guanxia Qiu1, Zihan Liu1
1Hubei Key Laboratory for Precision Synthesis of Small Molecule Pharmaceuticals & Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Synthesis and Application of Organic Functional Molecules & College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P. R. China.
A new microsensor accurately monitors antioxidant ascorbic acid (AA) in single cells, aiding neurodegenerative disease research. This tool helps understand cellular antioxidant mechanisms and potential treatments.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Nanomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Accurate single-cell monitoring of antioxidant ascorbic acid (AA) is vital for understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
- Intracellular AA monitoring is key to studying cellular heterogeneity and antioxidant mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a robust sensing platform for in-situ detection of AA in single cells.
- To enable real-time monitoring of endogenous AA fluctuations and assess the impact of exogenous AA.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a microscale electrochemical sensor (microsensor) using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-reduced graphene oxide (PEDOT-rGO) and methylene blue (MB).
- Utilizing a ratiometric output pattern for enhanced detection accuracy and sensitivity.
- Real-time monitoring of AA in PC12 cells under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide.
Main Results:
- The PEDOT-rGO/MB microsensor achieved sensitive AA detection with a limit of 0.79 μM.
- Demonstrated real-time monitoring of endogenous AA fluctuations in single PC12 cells.
- Confirmed that exogenous AA supplementation enhances intracellular AA levels to combat oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- The developed ratiometric microsensor provides a simple, reliable platform for single-cell AA level evaluation.
- This technology holds promise for monitoring and treating neurological disorders.
- The findings contribute to understanding cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms.
