Nuclear factor κB activity in response to oxidants and antioxidants

The goal of this chapter was to review the current protocols that are available to measure the activation of NF-κB. The methods discussed all have their pitfalls when used in isolation. To obtain meaningful information, nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation should be studied in conjunction. Study of NF-κB regulated protein expression is the most physiologically relevant approach to monitoring the transcription regulatory effect of NF-κB. Because of the limitations of transcriptional analysis in primary cell cultures or tissues, incorporation of multiple approaches is recommended when the involvement of NF-κB in a disease process is evaluated.