A modified tetramethylbenzidine method for measuring lipid hydroperoxides

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method for measuring lipid peroxides and peroxides in general is described. The method was developed by modifying an existing method based on the peroxidase activity of hemoglobin with tetramethylbenzidine as the electron donor. The modifications resulted in much improved sensitivity and reproducibility. With the modified method lipid peroxides as low as 2 nmol can be measured, a high sensitivity compared with other spectrophotometric methods. The absorbance is linear over a wide range of concentrations. It is suggested that this modified method in combination with the commonly used thiobarbituric acid method will give a better quantitation of lipid peroxidation.