Detection of active oxygen species in biological systems

1. Cypridina luciferin analogues, 2-methyl-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3,7- dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one (MCLD) and 2-methyl-6-phenyl-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one(CLA ), react with O2- or 1O2 to emit light in visible region. Such chemiluminescences were used for the detection of O2- or 1O2 in activated leukocyte systems and myeloperoxidase (granulocyte-extract) + Br- + H2O2 systems in vitro. 2. The mechanisms of MCLA (CLA)-dependent luminescence is described in detail. Superoxide generated from sinusoidal cells in acute ethanol intoxication of rats was detected by MCLA-dependent luminescence from the surface of perfused rat liver (organ luminescence). 3. Furthermore, with alive animals, O2- generated in the lung of rats with necrotized pancreatitis and that in the stomach of rats after ischemia/reperfusion were detected by their organ luminescences.