The indole reactions of "enteramine" and enterochromaffin: a historical survey.

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Abstract
It appears that the amount of 5-HT [5-hydroxytryptamine] in [vertebrate] enterochromaffin cells is insufficient to yield an appreciable xanthydrol or Ehrlich indole reaction. The sensitivity of these 2 reactions is similar, about 0.1 .mu.g for a barely detectable faint pink on the spot plate in perhaps 0.1-0.2 cm3 of fluid and it would take probably 100 times that concentration to give a readily recognizable blue color histologically. Erspamer''s 10 ng sensitivity of the formaldehyde fluorescence reaction probably has to be similarly multiplied to afford a readily recognizable histologic reaction. It is quite possible for the EC cells to contain normally a very small amount of 5-HT. The evidence of the indole reaction does not support the thesis that 5-HT is the major phenolic or reducing substance in the enterochromaffin cells. The difference in indole reactivity constitutes an important distinction between enteramine and enterochromaffins.

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