A randomized study of arterial infusion chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Low-dose 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin versus low-dose 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin/Interferon beta

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Background: Recently, efficacy of intraarterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been improved by combination with interferon(IFN)-alpha and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or 5-FU and cisplatin (FP). However, there is no report about combination chemotherapy with 5-FU, cisplatin and IFNbeta. Therefore, we examined to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination intraarterial infusion chemotherapy with IFN-beta, 5-FU and cisplatin in patients with advanced HCC in comparison with a chemotherapy using 5- FU and cisplatin. Methods: Twelve HCC patients in advanced stage were enrolled in the study after informed consent was performed. Patients with WHO performance status greater than 2, belonging to Child-Pugh class C, or with platelet less 80 x 109/l were not eligible. They were randomly assigned to FP group (n=6) and FP-IFN group (n=6). One cycle of both regimens lasted for 4 wk. 5-FU (500 mg/day) and cisplatin (10mg/day) were administered via the proper hepatic artery for 5 consecutive days per week for 3 wk. IFNbeta (1 x 106 units) was injected via the proper hepatic artery twice a week for 3 wk. Primary and secondary end points are efficacy and safety, respectively. The effect of combination chemotherapy was evaluated in each patient after one cycle based on the reduction of tumor volume. Adverse event was based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v3.0. Results: The reduction rates in the FP group and FPI group were 16.5% and 36.2%, respectively. The response rates in the FP group and FPI group were 16.7%(CR:n=0, PR:n=1) and 66.7%(CR:n=0, PR:n=4), respectively. The efficacy in FPI group was significantly higher than that in FP group. As for safety, any severe adverse event was not observed in this study although neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were more common in FPI group than in FP group. Conclusions: These data indicate that arterial infusion chemotherapy with 5-FU/cisplatin/IFNbeta may be a promising treatment modality for advanced HCC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Daily cost of ophthalmic solutions for treating glaucoma in Japan

PURPOSE

We conducted a study of the daily cost of various ophthalmic solutions used in Japan for treating glaucoma: beta-adrenergic blockers (11 products), epinephrine (3), cholinergics (3), prostaglandins (2), and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (2).

METHODS

The total number of drops in one bottle of each solution was counted drop by drop. The cost per drop was calculated by dividing the government-controlled standard prices by the total number of drops in one bottle. The daily cost of therapy was calculated by multiplying the cost per drop by the number of drops typically used per day.

RESULTS

The average cost of each preparation was calculated based on the prices and the daily usage. The daily cost of the beta-adrenergic blockers studied ranged widely, from $0.43 to $1.04.

CONCLUSIONS

These data may be useful in selecting ophthalmic products for glaucoma therapy in Japan.

Early recognition of patients with decreased methotrexate clearance following high-dose methotrexate infusion therapy

The purpose of this study was to identify the patients with decreased methotrexate (MTX) clearance as early as possible after the start of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) infusion. Fifty-six patients (age: 18 approximately 83 years) received a HD-MTX infusion (dosage: 1.9 approximately 3.8 g/m2) for 6 h. These patients were retrospectively divided into a low-clearance group and a high-clearance group based on the serum MTX concentration at 48 h (1 microM). Six out of the 56 patients showed decreased MTX clearance. The MTX concentrations in the low-clearance group were significantly higher than those in the high-clearance group even in earlier sampling times than at 48 h. The average MTX concentrations were 330 microM at 6 h, 72 microM at 12 h, and 16 microM at 24 h in the low-clearance group, and those in the high-clearance group were 210 microM, 18 microM, and 1.0 microM, respectively. The estimated elimination half-lives (t1/2) at 6 approximately 12 h and 12 approximately 24 h after the start of the infusion were also significantly longer in the low-clearance group (2.8 vs. 1.7 h and 5.0 vs. 2.8 h, respectively). Therefore, we proposed convenient criteria based on the mean + 1 S.D. of the high-clearance group: the concentration > 270 microM at 6 h and > 32 microM at 12 h; the t1/2 value > 2.1 h at 6-12 h. All 6 patients were recognized as belonging to the low-clearance group at an early stage after HD-MTX infusion by using our proposed criteria. These results indicate that patients with decreased MTX clearance could be identified within the first 12 h after the start of HD-MTX infusion. The factors influencing the prolonged elimination of MTX were also investigated. A significant decrease in renal function on day 2 was observed in the low-clearance group. The MTX level at 12 h and the estimated t1/2 values were significantly correlated with BUN, Scr and Clcr on the 2nd day after HD-MTX therapy, suggesting that an alteration in renal function occurs within 12 h of the HD-MTX infusion. The prolonged elimination of MTX could be attributable to this decrease in renal function.

Regional characteristics of [125I]cholecystokinin octapeptide specific binding to rat brain membranes following 6-hydroxydopamine treatment

The relative changes in the amount of specific [125I]cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK8) bound to regional brain membrane preparations after 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment were examined. The specific binding in the frontal cortex and striatum decreased and reached a minimum on the 3rd day after 6-OHDA treatment. Thereafter, the specific binding recovered to 60% and 65% of control values in the frontal cortex and striatum respectively on the 28th day. On the other hand, in the nucleus accumbens, where CCK8 co-exists in the dopamine neuron, the specific binding decreased gradually, and its recovery was delayed compared with that of the frontal cortex and striatum. In the hippocampus, 6-OHDA treatment had no effect on the specific binding throughout the experimental period. The decrease of [125I]CCK8-specific binding could be caused by enhanced release of CCK8 in the frontal cortex, striatum, and nucleus accumbens, and the recovery of specific binding could be induced by depletion of CCK8 in nerve terminals. Particularly in the nucleus accumbens, the delayed recovery of specific binding suggests the loss of the pre-synaptic binding site, which exists in the CCK8/DA co-existing neuron, together with a change in CCK8 release.

Effects of L-dopa on cholecystokinin octapeptide tissue levels in normal and 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rat brain

We investigated the changes in cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK8) tissue levels after the intraperitoneal administration of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) in normal and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treated rat brains to clarify the interaction between CCK8 and dopamine (DA). The administration of L-DOPA to the normal rats elevated the regional CCK8-like immunoreactivity (CCK8LI) tissue levels in a dose dependent manner in the frontal cortex, striatum, and nucleus accumbens where CCK neurons were closely associated with DA neurons but not in the hippocampus where CCK neurons were identified as local circuit neurons. Moreover, coadministration of D2-selective antagonist, L-sulpiride, with L-dopa inhibited the elevation of CCK8LI levels in several brain regions. This evidence indicates that CCK8 release was inhibited by exogenous DA converted from L-dopa via D2 receptor stimulation. In the 6-OHDA treated rats on the 3rd day after the treatment, the L-dopa administration elevated the CCK8 levels in several regions. However, the elevation of CCK8LI levels was not observed on the 7th day after the 6-OHDA treatment. These results suggest that there would be a great difference in the effect of L-DOPA on CCK8LI levels between the 3rd day and 7th day after 6-OHDA treatment. It was concluded that the changes in CCK8LI levels would be due to changes in CCK8 release, and that the CCK8 release would be regulated by extracellular DA via D2 receptor.

Pharmacokinetic behavior of cyclosporine A in liver dysfunction

The pharmacokinetic behavior of cyclosporine A (CyA), known as a potential immunosuppressive agent to prevent graft rejection in transplantation, was studied in patients with acute hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The ratios of blood concentration of total CyA (CyA and its metabolites), CyA, and CyA metabolites to dose/kg body weight, (t-CyA/dose, CyA/dose, and CyA-Met/dose, respectively) were significantly higher in patients with hepatitis than those in renal transplantation. In PBC patients these ratios showed a tendency to be smaller than those in renal transplantation, but were not significant. The ratio of CyA-Met/CyA was higher in the patients with hepatitis and PBC than that in renal transplantation. It was highest in the patients with PBC. The ratio of CyA-Met/CyA was significantly increased with a decrease of liver functions evaluated by serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and total serum bilirubin (t-Bil). These results indicate that hepatic function affects the pharmacokinetic behavior of CyA and the increased ratio of CyA-Met/dose could be caused by a possible increased efflux of metabolites into the blood circulation due to impaired bile excretion. These results also indicate the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the use of CyA with patients with hepatic dysfunction.

Changes of cholecystokinin octapeptide tissue levels in rat brain following dopamine neuron lesions induced by 6-hydroxydopamine

Cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfated (CCK8) tissue levels in several regions of the rat brain were measured by amino terminal specific radioimmunoassay following the intracerebroventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to investigate the interaction between CCK8 and dopamine (DA). Pargyline and desmethylimipramine were administered 2 h before 6-OHDA injection. The levels of CCK8-like immunoreactivity in the frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, substantia nigra, and nucleus accumbens increased transiently on day 1 after 6-OHDA treatment. The levels in the frontal cortex, striatum and substantia nigra fell gradually to reach a subnormal level on day 7. In the nucleus accumbens, where the coexisting CCK8 and DA neurons lie, the tissue levels fell to a subnormal level on day 3. These decreased levels were unchanged until day 28. The irreversible destruction of DA neurons induced by 6-OHDA might cause drastic changes in regional CCK8-like immunoreactivity. The changes would depend on the neuromorphological differences in each structure. These results suggest that the CCK8 systems are closely related to the DA systems in several brain regions and that DA plays an important role in CCK8 release.

Pharmacokinetic interaction of zonisamide in rats. Effect of zonisamide on other antiepileptics

The effects of zonisamide (ZNS) on the pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital (PB), valproic acid (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenytoin (PHT) were investigated in rats. Additionally, the influence of ZNS on the serum protein binding, erythrocyte distribution and metabolism of these antiepileptics was studied in vitro. The t 1/2 and AUC values of PB were significantly increased by ZNS coadministration, and a significant decrease in the Vd/F value of PHT was observed after multiple dosing of ZNS. By contrast, ZNS showed no significant effect on VPA and CBZ kinetics. No significant effect of ZNS was observed in the serum protein binding, erythrocyte distribution or metabolism of other antiepileptics. These results suggest that ZNS has little effect on the pharmacokinetic behaviors of other antiepileptic drugs.

Pharmacokinetic interaction of zonisamide in rats. Effect of other antiepileptics on zonisamide

The pharmacokinetics of zonisamide (ZNS) and the effects of phenobarbital (PB), valproic acid (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenytoin (PHT) on ZNS kinetics were investigated in rats. The effects of other antiepileptics on the serum protein binding, erythrocyte distribution and metabolism of ZNS were also studied in vitro to elucidate the mechanism of pharmacokinetic interaction of ZNS. ZNS showed a linear disposition kinetics after oral administration of ZNS within the dose examined. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of ZNS were not altered after multiple dosing. The decreased t1/2 value of ZNS by PB or CBZ pretreatment and the increased Vd/F value of ZNS by VPA pretreatment were observed, although it showed no marked effect of PHT on ZNS kinetics. The enhanced metabolism of ZNS was observed by PB or CBZ pretreatment from an in vitro metabolism study. The serum protein binding and erythrocyte distribution of ZNS showed no significant change in the presence of other antiepileptics in vitro. These results indicate that the decreased t1/2 value of ZNS is attributable to the enzyme inducing effect of PB or CBZ, and that neither protein binding nor erythrocyte distribution of ZNS could be the reason for the increased Vd/F value of ZNS by VPA coadministration.

Pharmacokinetic analysis of maprotiline and its demethylated metabolite in serum and brain of rats after acute and chronic oral administration of maprotiline

Compartmental model analysis by simultaneous curve fitting was used to ascertain the pharmacokinetic relationship between maprotiline (MAP) and its demethylated metabolite desmethylmaprotiline (DMAP) in the serum and brain of rats after single or multiple oral administrations of MAP. The extent of bioavailability and the fraction metabolized to DMAP after acute oral administration were 0.202 and 0.065, respectively, indicating first-pass metabolism of MAP. Although the estimated transfer rate constants to and from the brain (k(in) and k(out)) of MAP were higher than those of DMAP, the k(in):k(out) ratio for MAP was similar to that for DMAP. These findings indicate the equivalent ability of MAP and DMAP to penetrate into the brain after acute oral administration. The estimated values of bioavailability and fraction metabolized to DMAP increased 2.6 and 1.7 times, respectively, after chronic administration of MAP. These findings are attributable to inhibited distribution in tissue. The k(in) and k(out) values of MAP decreased, whereas those of DMAP showed no marked change. Therefore, the k(in):k(out) ratio for MAP decreased, whereas that for DMAP did not change. These results suggest that the permeability of MAP into the brain might be affected and that of DMAP is not modified by chronic administration of MAP.

Pharmacokinetic analysis of amitriptyline and its demethylated metabolite in serum and brain of rats after acute and chronic oral administration of amitriptyline

The compartmental model analysis by use of simultaneous curve fitting was carried out to ascertain the pharmacokinetic relationship between amitriptyline (AMT) and nortriptyline (NRT) in the serum and brain after acute or chronic oral administration of AMT. The estimated F value, a fraction of dose reached at systemic circulation, and the MD value, a fraction metabolized to NRT, were 0.044 and 0.020, respectively, after acute administration, indicating first-pass metabolism of AMT. The estimated parameters kin and kout, the transfer rate constants to and from the brain, showed no marked difference between AMT and NRT. These findings indicate equivalent ability of AMT and NRT to penetrate into the brain. The area under the concentration curve (AUC) values of AMT and NRT in the serum increased 1.4 and 8.2 times, respectively, with the increase of NRT being greater after chronic administration. The MD value was increased from 0.020 to 0.096, whereas the estimated F value showed no marked change. These results indicate the enhanced first-pass metabolism. The estimated transfer rate constants kin and kout of AMT were close to those of NRT. In addition, the transfer rate constants after chronic administration were similar to those after acute administration, indicating no marked change in penetration into the brain by multiple dosing.

Factors influencing serum concentration of zonisamide in epileptic patients

The relationship between daily dose and serum concentration of zonisamide (ZNS) and the effects of patient age on the serum level/dose (L/D) ratio for ZNS were studied in epileptic patients (mean age +/- S.D. = 10.6 +/- 6.2 years) who chronically received ZNS. The influence of phenytoin (PHT), phenobarbital (PB), carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproic acid (VPA) on the serum protein binding of ZNS in vitro and the correlation between total and unbound serum levels of ZNS in patients were also examined. Significant correlations were obtained between daily dose per body weight or per body surface area and serum level of ZNS. The correlation coefficient of the latter was higher than that of the former. There was no effect of age on the L/D ratio on the basis of body surface area, whereas that on the basis of body weight increased significantly with age. No significant increase in the free fraction of ZNS was observed in the presence of PHT, PB and CBZ except VPA in vitro. There were significant correlations between total and unbound serum levels of ZNS in the two patient groups coadministered with and without VPA. Although the free fraction of ZNS in the former was significantly higher than that of the latter, the increase was small. These results suggest that dosage regimens on the basis of body surface area would be more accurate than those on a body weight basis and that there is little effect of other antiepileptics on the serum protein binding of ZNS.

Pharmacokinetics of maprotiline and its demethylated metabolite in serum and specific brain regions of rats after acute and chronic administration of maprotiline

The concentrations of maprotiline (MAP) and its demethylated metabolite desmethylmaprotiline (DMAP) in the serum and specific brain regions were determined periodically after acute or chronic administration of 20 mg/kg of MAP in rats. MAP was eliminated in a biexponential manner from the serum and monoexponentially from the brain. The DMAP declined monoexponentially from the serum and brain regions. No significant difference was observed in elimination among the eight brain regions examined. In the brain, MAP distributed unevenly after chronic administration, whereas DMAP showed an even distribution. In the acute administration, the AUCbrain: AUCserum ratio of MAP was similar to that of DMAP, and the AUCDMAP: AUCMAP ratio in the serum was almost equal to that in the brain, indicating equivalent ability of MAP and DMAP to penetrate into the brain. After chronic administration, the AUCDMAP value in the serum increased 4.1 times, whereas no marked change was observed for MAP. There was no evidence of enhanced N-demethylation activity from in vitro metabolism study, suggesting that the enhanced AUCDMAP value was not attributable to the enhancement of drug metabolizing activity. Although the AUCMAP value in the brain, as well as in the serum, increased slightly, the AUCDMAP in the brain increased 2.3 times, showing less increase than that in the serum. These findings suggest inhibited distribution of DMAP into tissue, including brain regions, after chronic administration. The pharmacokinetics of the demethylated metabolite DMAP is affected more than that of MAP by chronic administration of MAP.

Pharmacokinetics of amitriptyline and its demethylated metabolite in serum and specific brain regions of rats after acute and chronic administration of amitriptyline

The concentrations of amitriptyline (AMT) and its demethylated metabolite nortriptyline (NRT) in the serum and in specific brain regions were determined periodically after acute or chronic administration of 20 mg/kg of AMT in rats. Both AMT and NRT declined from the serum in a biexponential manner and were eliminated monoexponentially from the brain regions, with no significant difference in elimination among the eight brain regions examined. In the brain, both AMT and NRT were unevenly distributed after chronic administration, whereas an even distribution was observed after acute administration. The AUCbrain:AUCserum ratio of AMT was higher than that of NRT, indicating greater transport of AMT into the brain regions. The AUCAMT value in the serum increased 1.6 times after chronic administration, whereas no significant changes were observed in the brain regions. The AUCNRT values increased 9.0 times in the serum and 6.8 times in the brain, with the increase in the serum being greater. These results suggest inhibited distribution of the drugs into the tissues, including the brain regions, and enhanced metabolism of AMT.

Ocular pharmacokinetics of latamoxef and cefaclor in humans. Penetration into aqueous humor

Penetrations of latamoxef (LMOX) and cefaclor (CCL) into the aqueous humor after intravenous or oral administration were investigated in patients admitted with cataract. Concentrations of antibiotics in plasma and aqueous humor were determined periodically by microbiological assay. LMOX disappeared from plasma in a monoexponential manner with a half-life of 2.7 h after intravenous administration at a dose of 1000 mg. The maximum concentration of LMOX in aqueous humor (4.7 micrograms/ml) was observed 2 h after administration. When CCL was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg, the maximum concentration of CCL in aqueous humor was 0.53 microgram/ml 2 h after administration, whereas the maximum plasma concentration of 8.4 micrograms/ml was observed at 1 h. Pharmacokinetic analysis (simultaneous simulation) of plasma and aqueous humor concentration-time courses was done by using the best-fitting compartment model examined (modified two-compartment model). Prediction of the concentration of antibiotics in aqueous humor from the plasma concentration profile was also examined using the same compartment model in a separate experiment. The predicted concentration in aqueous humor was proved to fit reasonably with the measured concentration.

Ocular pharmacokinetics of latamoxef and cefaclor in rabbits. Penetration into aqueous humor

Penetrations of latamoxef (LMOX) and cefaclor (CCL) into the aqueous humor after intravenous or oral administration were investigated in rabbits. Concentrations of antibiotics in plasma and aqueous humor after administration were determined periodically by microbiological assay. LMOX disappeared from plasma in a monoexponential manner with a half-life of 43 min after intravenous administration at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The maximum concentration of LMOX in aqueous humor (6.4 micrograms/ml) was observed 1 h after administration. When CCL was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg, the maximum concentration of CCL in aqueous humor was 1.00 microgram/ml 1.5 h after administration, whereas the maximum plasma concentration of 19.2 micrograms/ml was observed at 30 min. Pharmacokinetic analysis (simultaneous simulation) of plasma and aqueous humor concentration-time courses was made using the best fitted compartment model examined (modified two-compartment model). Prediction of the concentration of antibiotics in aqueous humor from the plasma concentration profile was also examined using the same compartment model in a separate experiment. The predicted concentration in aqueous humor was proved to coincide reasonably well with the measured concentration.

Serum neuroleptic activities required to inhibit relapse in schizophrenic patients--a study by radioreceptor assay

1. The serum levels of antidopaminergic (anti-D2), anti-alpha-adrenergic (anti-NA) and antiserotonergic (anti-5HT2) activities of neuroleptics were determined in schizophrenic patients on maintenance treatment. 2. The patients whose conditions remained stable had significantly higher serum levels of anti-D2 and anti-5HT2 activities than those who were considered to be in unstable conditions after a period of remission. 3. However, the serum levels of anti-5HT2 activity in patients whose conditions remained stable varied as much as those of anti-NA activities did, so it appeared that from a pharmacological viewpoint anti-D2 activity of neuroleptics was the most important in preventing a relapse in schizophrenic patient. 4. The serum levels of anti-D2 activity required to prevent relapses differed for each neuroleptic. 5. The frequency of side effects increased concordant with increasing serum levels of anti-D2, anti-NA and anti-5HT2 activities, and unfortunately even minimum effective serum levels of anti-D2 activity elicited slight side effects in the majority patients.

Comparison of enzyme immunoassay, radioimmunoassay, and microbiologic assay for amikacin in plasma

An enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and microbiologic assay (MBA) were compared as methods of measuring amikacin in human plasma. Accuracy of the three methods was assessed in plasma with amikacin added in concentrations of 2.5-50 micrograms/ml. Correlations between the assay methods were compared over a range of 0.5-50 micrograms/ml. Amikacin was also assayed in plasma to which had been added other drugs, including 16 antibiotics and 3 antineoplastic agents; also tested were samples that had been stored at 5 degrees C or -20 degrees C. Within the amikacin concentration range of 2.5-50 micrograms/ml, the coefficients of variation of all methods were within 10%. Correlation was good between EMIT and RIA as well as between EMIT and MBA. Of the other drugs tested, only tobramycin, dibekacin, and kanamycin affected amikacin EMIT determinations, while only kanamycin affected amikacin RIA determinations. No effect of cold and freezing was observed on amikacin determinations. EMIT assay is an acceptable method for routine analysis of amikacin plasma samples. The amikacin assay results for the three methods were highly correlated.

Comparison of an immunoassay and a microbiological assay for tobramycin serum concentrations

An enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) and a microbiological assay were compared as methods for determining the concentration of tobramycin in human serum. Tobramycin sulfate in various concentrations (0.4-20.0 microgram/ml) was dissolved in lyophilized human serum. Tobramycin concentration was determined by EMIT assay and a microbiological agar diffusion assay using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 as the test organism. Serum samples of 162 patients who received tobramycin 60 mg i.m. were also assayed by the two methods. The effect of six antibiotics on the determination of tobramycin concentration by EMIT assay was measured. To test whether freezing affects tobramycin concentration measured by EMIT assay, tobramycin in five concentrations in lyophilized human serum were frozen and analyzed at weekly intervals for seven weeks. The concentration of tobramycin determined by EMIT assay and microbiological assay in both lyophilized human serum and patient samples were highly correlated (r = 0.994 and 0.949) respectively). Dibekacin, an aminoglycoside structurally similar to tobramycin, interfered with the determination of tobramycin concentration. No effect of freezing was observed. The results of this study show that EMIT assay is an acceptable method for routine laboratory analysis of tobramycin serum concentration. It is as accurate as the microbiological assay tested.

Study on the specificity of Shore's method for the determination of histamine in various tissues

Specificity of Shore's method for the histamine determination was investigated by examining the fluorescence spectrum of the extract from rat gastric mucosa, biopsy specimen of human gastric mucosa, human gastric juice and human whole blood. An almost identical spectrum to that of pure histamine was obtained with the extract from rat gastric mucosa and human whole blood, whereas the spectrum with the extract of human gastric biopsy specimen and human gastric juice was different from that of histamine. By means of high-performance liquid chromatography, an approximately three times more concentrated extract from human gastric mucosa gave a distinct peak of histamine while a hundred times concentrated gastric juice gave no measurable peak of histamine. Fluorescence spectrum of the substances which might be extracted with histamine was examined. The ratio of the fluorescence of histidine to that of equimolar concentration of histamine at the wave length for histamine determination was 4.62%. From the above results, it has been concluded that Shore's method is useful for the determination of histamine contents in the gastric mucosa and whole blood if approximately 5% contamination with histidine is taken into consideration.