Electrochemical detection of histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine at isolated mast cells

The electrochemical oxidation of histamine has been investigated as an analytical tool. In a physiological buffer, histamine is oxidized at carbon fiber microelectrodes at potentials close to the background in a chemically irreversible process. Cylindrical carbon fiber electrodes were used as amperometric detectors for histamine separated with a reversed-phase capillary column, and detection limits of 240 amol were achieved. Electrodes with beveled tips were used as real-time sensors by monitoring with repetitive cyclic voltammograms at a scan rate of 800 V/s with a 16.7-ms repetition rate, and detection limits of 1.4 microM were achieved. Both techniques were used to probe histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) stored in rat peritoneal mast cells. The content in single cells was measured by capillary HPLC, and both substances were found in single cells. Although the analysis revealed a large cell-to-cell variation in the amount of histamine and 5-HT, the average amount was 150 and 4 fmol of histamine and 5-HT, respectively. Release of histamine and 5-HT was measured with the electrode placed 1 microm from the cell surface. Release was observed as a series of sharp concentration spikes, consistent with corelease of the two substances from individual vesicles following exocytosis.