pO2 and ROS/RNS Measurements in the Microcirculation in Hypoxia

We expose methods for in vivo assessment of oxygen, nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS), in the microcirculation during normoxia and hypoxia. We provide an example of the related mechanisms of ROS/RNS and oxygen level in the process of regulating capillary perfusion. Namely, we discuss the real time pO2 measurements in vivo in the microvessels and tissues of the hamster cheek pouch and window chamber preparations during normoxia and hypoxia, as well as the corresponding changes in ROS/RNS in systemic blood during normoxia and hypoxia under conditions where NO availability is maximally reduced.