Real-time redox monitoring of a nitrosyl ruthenium complex acting as NO-donor agent in a single A549 cancer cell with multiplex Fourier-transform infrared microscopy.

Multiplex Fourier-transform infrared microscopy (µFT-IR) helped to monitor trans-[Ru(NO) (NH3)4 (isn)]3+(I), uptake by A549 lung carcinoma cell, as well as the generation of its product, nitric oxide (NO), inside the cell. Chronoamperometry with NO-sensor and µFT-IR showed that exogenous NADH and the A549 cell induced the NO release redox mechanism. Chemical imaging confirmed that (I) was taken up by the cell, and that its localization coincided with its consumption in the cellular environment within 15 min of exposure. The Ru-NO absorption band in the IR spectrum shifted from 1932 cm-1, when NO was coordinated to Ru as {RuII-NO+}3+, to 1876 cm-1, due the formation of reduced species {RuII-NO0}2+, a precursor of NO release. Futhermore, the µFT-IR spectral profile demonstrated that, as a result of the NO action on the target, NO interacted with nucleic acids, which provided a biochemical response that is detectable in living cells.

An intravenous implantable glucose/dioxygen biofuel cell with modified flexible carbon fiber electrodes.

An intravenous implantable glucose/dioxygen hybrid enzyme-Pt micro-biofuel cell (BFC) was investigated. In this miniaturized BFC, a flexible carbon fiber (FCF) microelectrode modified with neutral red redox mediator and glucose oxidase was used as the bioanode, and an FCF modified with platinum nanoparticles stabilized on PAMAM-G4 dendrimer was used as the cathode. In vitro experiments conducted using the BFC in a phosphate buffer solution (50 mmol L(-1), pH = 7.2) and glucose (47 mmol L(-1)) showed high electrocatalytic performance with an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 400 mV, a maximum current density of 2700 µA cm(-2) at 0.0 V and a maximum output power of 200 µW cm(-2) at 250 mV. Under physiological conditions, glucose from rat blood is used as a fuel in anodic reactions and dissolved molecular oxygen is used as the oxidizing agent on the cathode. For in vivo experiments, the BFC was inserted into the jugular vein of a living rat (Rattus novergicus) using a catheter (internal diameter 0.5 mm). The power density of the implantable BFC was evaluated over a period of 24 h, and an OCV of 125 mV with a maximum power density of 95 µW cm(-2) was obtained at 80 mV.