A new volumetric method for the determination of histaminase activity in biological fluids

Abstract

A new histaminase unit, permanganate unit (P. U.), was proposed; one P. U. inactivated 0.46 [mu]g. of histamine/hr. with the uptake of 0.05 [mu].1. O2. A new, simple volumetric method (a modification of Zeller''s qualitative indigo test) was applied to the investigation of histaminase activity in non-pregnancy sera and in sera during normal and abnormal pregnancy. The results obtained were discussed. The discrepancy in the effects of histaminase on histamine and cadaverine was well shown when the new volumetric method was applied to the investigation of histaminase prepns. from hog kidneys and serum histaminase.