UTILITY OF A NITRIC-OXIDE ELECTRODE FOR MONITORING THE ADMINISTRATIONOF NITRIC-OXIDE IN BIOLOGIC SYSTEMS

Amperometric techniques for the detection of nitric oxide (NO) are com mercially available, but their sensitivity and specificity are not wel l described, We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a Clark-s tyle, platinum NO electrode. The electrode has a lower limit of detect ion for NO of <25 pmol/ml in vitro and is linear over the range from 2 5 pmol/ml to 4 nmol/ml. The electrode is specific for NO so long as th e protective membrane that covers the electrode is intact. Any defect in this membrane results in the detection of other redox agents such a s hydrogen peroxide. Because of its ease of handling, specificity, and sensitivity, the NO electrode is a useful tool for quantification of administered NO in vitro and in various biologic systems.