APPLICATION OF AUTOMATED FLOW-INJECTION ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE NITRITEAND NITRATE IN MOUSE-BRAIN

NITRIC oxide level in the mouse brain was estimated by determination o f nitrite and nitrate using an automated flow injection analyser for N Ox. Different experimental conditions were examined to determine which produced reproducible results. After pretreatment of tissue specimens by the ZnSO4-NaOH method for deproteinization, reproducible and const ant values were obtained. The values were more accurate immediately af ter sectioning without freezing than after 24 h with freezing. Two sac rifice methods, decapitation and microwave irradiation of the head, we re investigated, but there was no significant difference between the t wo. No substances in the mouse brain exerted a positive or negative in fluence on the results. These results show that our method is indeed a pplicable to the brain tissue.