Validation of microdialysis probes for studying nitrosative chemistry within localized regions of the human upper gastrointestinal tract.

Background: We have examined the suitability of microdialysis probes for examining nitrosative chemistry within localized regions of the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Chemical nitrosation occurs maximally at pH 2.5 in the presence of nitrite and thiocyanate and absence of ascorbic acid. Nitrite and thiocyanate are delivered into the stomach in saliva and ascorbic acid is secreted in gastric juice. Methods: We used a benchtop model to reproduce the nitrosative chemistry occurring in the human upper GI tract and assessed the ability of the microdialysis probes to measure it. Results: The microdialysis probes were reliable at measuring nitrite ascorbic acid, total vitamin C and thiocyanate in both aqueous solutions and human gastric juice over the full range of intragastric pH, i.e. 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 5.0 and 7.0. The probes were also reliable at measuring these chemicals under conditions simulating the active interaction between nitrite and ascorbic acid. Under such conditions with ascorbic acid in exces...