The isoprostanes are a family of eicosanoids of non-enzymatic origin produced by the random oxidation of tissue phospholipids by oxygen radicals. Isoprostanes appear as artifacts in tissue and plasma samples which have undergone oxidative degradation during prolonged or improper storage. They also appear in the plasma and urine under normal conditions and are elevated by oxidative stress. At least one of the isoprostanes, 8-isoprostane (8-epi PGF2α), has been shown to have biological activity. It is a potent pulmonary and renal vasoconstrictor1 and has been implicated as a causative mediator of hepatorenal syndrome and pulmonary oxygen toxicity.2 8-Isoprostane has been proposed as a marker of antioxidant deficiency and oxidative stress and elevated levels have been found in heavy smokers.3 8-Isoprostane levels are also a relative indicator of sample integrity for lipid-containing samples such as serum, plasma, and whole cell preparations.
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