Oxygen consumption during histamine release by antigen and compound 48/80.

The oxygen consumption of isolated rat mast cells has been determined using a micro capillary respirometer designed by Cunningham and Kirk and modified to permit stirring and addition of reactants. Uptake ranged from 0.5 pl. per cell per minute in 100 per cent O to 0.1 pl. per cell per minute in 1 per cent O. It remained steady for at least 1 hour and was not affected by the presence of glucose. Under a variety of conditions neither histamine release by antigen added to sensitized cells nor by compound 48/80 added to normal cells resulted in any increase in the rate of oxygen uptake. Oxygen does not appear to be a rate limiting factor.