Copper-phenanthroline-induced site-specific oxygen-radical damage to DNA. Detection of loosely bound trace copper in biological fluids

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Abstract
Cu2+, in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline [a chelating agent], O2 and a reducing agent, degrade DNA with the release of thiobarbituric acid-reactive material. This reaction, dependent on the formation of the oxygen radicals, was made the basis of a sensitive and specific assay for loosely bound Cu in body fluids [human serum, synovial fluid and CSF]. When applied to certain extracellular fluids, trace amounts of Cu could be detected in the lower .mu.mol range.