Nuclear factor kappa B activity in response to oxidants and antioxidants

The goal of this chapter was to review the current protocols that are available to measure the activation of NF-kappa B. The methods discussed all have their pitfalls when used in isolation. To obtain meaningful information, nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation should be studied in conjunction. Study of NF-kappa B regulated protein expression is the most physiologically relevant approach to monitoring the transcription regulatory effect of NF-kappa B. Because of the limitations of transcriptional analysis in primary cell cultures or tissues, incorporation of multiple approaches is recommended when the involvement of NF-kappa B in a disease process is evaluated.