Utility of a nitric oxide electrode for monitoring the administration of nitric oxide in biologic systems.

Amperometric techniques for the detection of nitric oxide (NO) are commercially available, but their sensitivity and specificity are not well described. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a Clark-style, platinum NO electrode. The electrode has a lower limit of detection for NO of <25 pmol/ml in vitro and is linear over the range from 25 pmol/ml to 4 nmol/ml. The electrode is specific for NO so long as the protective membrane that covers the electrode is intact. Any defect in this membrane results in the detection of other redox agents such as 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.