The reliability of clinical dynamic monitoring of redox status using a new redox potential (ORP) determination method.

Purpose: Quantitative monitoring of the redox status is the foundation for redox-related treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a new depolarization curve method for plasma redox potential (ORP) monitoring.

Methods: Using the new method, we performed redox determinations for the first time under different sample-handling conditions, including redox titration experiments using KMnO4 and vitamin C and dynamic redox monitoring in burn patients. The relative ORP value (ΔORP) method (improved traditional method) was used as the reference.

Results: The new method's better reliability, electrochemical specificity and practicability, and known group validity, which are closely associated with the redox-related pathological processes of severe burns, were confirmed. Furthermore, bidirectional change in the redox status in severe burn patients was also observed for the first time.

Conclusions: This simple, stable new method could be a better practical tool for making the dynamic monitoring of the redox status feasible and for providing useful quantitative information for the judgment of redox-related pathological process, thus improving corresponding individualized treatments that rely on quantitative adjustments to the redox status.