Spin trapping artifacts in DMSO.

Spin-trapping experiments in alkaline aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution using sodium 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonate (DBNBS) yielded a strong signal of the sulfur trioxide anion radical adduct. This radical adduct is identical to that obtained by the oxidation of sulfite with horseradish peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide and subsequent spin trapping with DBNBS. This radical adduct is very stable, and satellite peaks of the natural abundance 13C and 33S could be obtained. Apparently, under alkaline conditions DMSO decomposes in air to form the sulfur trioxide anion radical. A comparison with a recent publication shows that this DMSO-derived radical adduct has been misassigned as a uniquely stable spin adduct of superoxide (Ozawa and Hanaki (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 136, 657-664).