Electrochemical detection of nitric oxide production in perfused pig coronary artery: comparison of the performances of two electrochemical sensors.

In situ direct measurement of nitric oxide (NO) in biological media is now possible by means of electrochemical detection. In the literature, there are principally two amperometric approaches based on the direct oxidation of NO either on a sensor made from platinum/ iridium (Pt/Ir) alloy coated with a three-layered membrane or on a nickel porphyrin and Nafion-coated carbon fiber electrode. Nonetheless, the exact nature of the experimental amperometric signal obtained with the Pt/Ir system was never authenticated as being related to NO. This study compared responses of two sensors to the inhibition effect of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) as the amperometric signals produced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on isolated pig coronary preparations. These amperometric signals could be attributed to NO only for the nickel porphyrin and Nafion-coated carbon fiber electrode. Indeed, voltammetric characterization of the electrochemical response demonstrated only variations of the baseline current upon additions of either SNAP or NO on the Pt/Ir electrode instead of anodic peak current displayed at 0.63-0.75 V for the other system. Nitrites induced baseline current variations with the Pt/Ir electrode, similar to those obtained with S-nitroso-N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP) or NO. This study highlights the potential hazards and pitfalls that may be associated with the use of a Pt/Ir sensor calibrated with SNAP solutions for the detection of NO production in various biological systems.