The bioassay of γ-aminobutyric acid using a muscle preparation from Ascaris lumbricoides

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A method is described for the assay of γ-aminobutyric acid based on inhibition of the isolated dorsal muscle of Ascaris lumbricoides. The degree of relaxation produced by the acid was linearly related to the logarithm of the dose (0.5–2.0 μg/ml). Analyses of variance and indices of precision, calculated from the results of 6 model assays, indicated a satisfactory assay procedure. Ascaris was much more sensitive to γ-aminobutyric acid than to related amino-acids and was unaffected by dopa, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine or histamine (2 mg/ml) and by bradykinin (50 μg/ml).