Strategies to detect mitochondrial oxidants

Mitochondrial oxidants (or reactive oxygen species) participate in a myriad of physiological and pathological processes. They are, however, quite hard to measure due to their chemical nature and specific subcellular location. Here, we review techniques to measure mitochondrial oxidants in biological systems as well as the results of their activity, highlighting conditions to be considered, controls and recommended practices. We will delineate experimental setups that use combined strategies to convincingly demonstrate the biological effects of mitochondrial oxidants, using the imperfect methodology available today.