Malondialdehyde (MDA): The Key Product In Lipid Peroxidation

Along with all the metabolic reactions, the cell cytoplasm is engaged in the process of production of the free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The overproduction of reactive oxygen species in cell cytoplasm leads into the condition of the oxidative stress. This situation may also be the results of the combination of excessive formation of radicals derived from oxygen or nitrogen or both. Cellular components may be attacked in such conditions. The lipids are the most susceptible for such type of attack through peroxidation. The process of lipid peroxidation is a chain of chemical reactions involving free radicals. The lipid peroxidation leads into the deterioration of the lipids of polyunsaturated category. The biological membranes are the targets for damage through the oxidative deterioration of lipids of polyunsaturated category. The deterioration through free radicals can be assayed through dienes of conjugated category; malondialdehyde (MDA); 4-hydroxynonenal and the others. The malondialdehyde (MDA) is the major product for assessment of lipid peroxidation. The chemical reaction of malondialdehyde (MDA) with thiobarbituric acid is the most common method of assay of lipid peroxidation. Thec product of this chemical reaction is easy for quantification through the use of spectrophotometry and the selective HPLC-based assays. The present attempt is to focus on the important aspects of the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) and its significance in pathological conditions. Keywords: Oxidative Stress; Malondialdehyde (MDA); Assay Methods