Dihydrofluorescein diacetate is a fluorimetric probe mainly used for oxidative stress measurements, in both cell-free systems and cellular models.
Dihydrofluorescein diacetate may be a superior fluorescent probe for many cell-based studies. It is a better fluorescent probe for detecting intracellular oxidants because it is more reactive toward specific oxidizing species. Dihydrofluorescein diacetate demonstrates fluorescence of linear structures, consistent with mitochondria, in reoxygenated endothelium[1]. Dihydrofluorescein diacetate is able to detect the presence of ROS in mitochondria. Dihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence was sharp and delineated thin filaments which corresponded in all details to TMRM-stained mitochondria. It enters mitochondria and reacts with ROS released in the matrix[2]. Dihydrofluorescein diacetate could be an useful and quantitative method for measuring the oxidative potential of nanoparticle-treated cells[3].
[1]. Hempel SL, et al. Dihydrofluorescein diacetate is superior for detecting intracellular oxidants: comparison with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, 5(and 6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, and dihydrorhodamine 123. Free Radic Biol Med. 1999 Jul;27(1-2):146-59. [2]. Diaz G, et al. Mitochondrial localization of reactive oxygen species by dihydrofluorescein probes. Histochem Cell Biol. 2003 Oct;120(4):319-25. [3]. Aranda A, et al. Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay: a quantitative method for oxidative stress assessment of nanoparticle-treated cells. Toxicol In Vitro. 2013 Mar;27(2):954-63.