The effect of Tris-buffered media and Tyrode physiologic saline solution on the antigenic release of histamine from human leukocytes.

Allergic histamine release from leukocytes was compared in three different media: Tyrode physiologic saline solution, Tris-buffered saline containing human albumin, calcium, and magnesium (Tris-ACM), and Tris-ACM with homologous serum. In a selected group of low histamine releasers, the maximal amount of antigenic histamine release was significantly higher in Tyrode solution as compared to Tris-ACM buffer. When homologous serum was added to Tris-acm, an enhancement of histamine release greater than with Tyrode solution was obtained. These results suggest that Tris-ACM may not be the optimal buffer for leukocyte histamine release experiments. Since Tyrode solution contains no serum proteins that bind slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis or prostaglandins, the use of this medium may be advantageous for the study of the release of the chemical mediators from human leukocytes.