ISSN:
1420-908X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Plasma levels of histamine and Nt-methylhistamine were measured simultaneously by high performance liquid chromatography during the intravenous infusion of histamine acid phosphate in six normal volunteers. Progressive, dose-related increases in plasma histamine were noted, reaching a maximum value of 3.1±0.14 ng ml−1 corresponding to a maximum infusion rate of 180 ng kg−1 min−1 (means±SEM). Increases in plasma histamine were accompanied by a significant dose-related fall in mean diastolic blood pressure (baseline 74.0±4.4 mm Hg falling to 60.0±3.3 mm Hg at maximum infusion rate,p〈0.001) and an increase in pulse rate (baseline 76.3±2.8 beats min−1 rising to 89.24 beats min−1 at maximum infusion rate,p〈0.05). All subjects exhibited facial flushing, the threshold plasma histamine level for this effect being 1.3±0.15 ng ml−1 corresponding to an infusion rate of 60 ng kg−1 min−1. Elevation of plasma Nt-methylhistamine was seen in only one subject, who exhibited a level of 0.5 ng ml−1 at the highest infusion rate. These results suggest that measurements of plasma Nt-methylhistamine are unlikely to provide a useful index of histamine release into the circulation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01965029
