Conclusion
It is now some eighty years since the pioneering studies of Dale, Barger, Laidlaw and others defined the immediate pharmacological actions of histamine. In that period, it has become apparent that endogenous histamine is implicated in a diversity of physiological processes as well as in immediate hypersensitivity reactions and injury. Thus, the amine is intimately involved in the control of gastric acid secretion, acts as a neurotransmitter or modulator in the brain, and influences cell growth and immune function. The definition of distinct receptor subtypes for the autacoid has found therapeutic application in the treatment of allergy and peptic ulcer disease and holds promise for the management of problems of sleep and wakefulness. Indeed, the discovery of H2-receptors, and more recently H3-receptors, has led to a considerable resurgence in interest in histamine in biology and clinical medicine. It is hoped that this interest will continue and prosper.
References
F.L. Pearce,The mast cell. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America10, 251–262 (1990).
H. Carswell, P.R. Daum and J.M. Young,Histamine H 1-agonist stimulated breakdown of inositol phospholipids. InFrontiers in Histamine Research. (Ed. C.R. Ganellin and J.-C. Schwartz) pp. 27–38, Pergammon, Oxford 1985.
L.R. Hegstrand, P.D. Kanof and P. Greengard,Histamine sensitive adenylate cyclase in mammalian brain. Nature (Lond.)260, 163–165 (1976).
J.-C. Schwartz, J.-M. Arrang and M. Garbarg,Three classes of histamine receptors in brain. Trends Pharmacol. Sci.7, 24–28 (1986).
J.C. Schwartz, J.M. Arrang, M. Garbarg and H. Pollard,A third histamine receptor subtype: Characterisation, localisation and functions of the H 3-receptor. Agents and Actions30, 13–23 (1990).
M. Ennis and W. Lorenz,Histamine receptor antagonists. InDiscoveries in Pharmacology, vol. 2:Haemodynamics, hormones and inflammation. (Ed. M.J. Parnhum and J. Bruinvels) pp. 623–645, Elsevier, Amsterdam 1984.
J.-M. Arrang, M. Garbarg, J.-C. Lancelot, J.-M. Lecomte, H. Pollard, M. Robba, W. Schunack and J.C. Schwartz,Highly potent and selective ligands for histamine H 3 receptors. Nature (Lond.)327, 117–123 (1987).
W. Lorenz and A. Doenicke,H 1 andH 2 blockade: A prophylactic principle in anesthesia and surgery against histamine-release responses of any degree of severity: Parts I and II. New Eng. Regional Allergy Proc.6, 36–57 and 174–192 (1985).
D.A.A. Owen, C.A. Harvey and M.J. Boyce,Effects of histamine on the circulatory system. Klin. Wochenschr.60, 972–977 (1982).
R. Levi, A.A. Chenouda, J.P. Trzeciakowski, Z.-G. Guo, L.M. Aaronson, R.D. Luskind and C.-H. Lee,Dysrythmias caused by histamine release in guinea pig and human hearts. Klin. Wochenschr.60, 965–971 (1982).
P.J. Barnes, K.F. Chung and C.P. Page,Inflammatory mediators and asthma. Pharmacol. Revs40, 49–84 (1988).
K.-Fr. Sewing,Antisecretagogues and parietal cells. Agents and Actions14, 319–324 (1984).
J.W. Black and N.P. Shankley,How does gastrin act to stimulate oxyntic cell secretion? Trends Pharmacol. Sci.8, 486–490 (1987).
H. Lönroth, R. Håkanson, L. Lundel and F. Sundler,Histamine containing endocrine cells in the human stomach. Gut31, 383–388 (1990).
L.B. Hough, R.C. Goldschmidt, S.D. Glick and J. Padawer,Mast cells in rat brain: Characterization, localization, and histmaine content. InFrontiers in Histamine Research. (Ed. C.R. Ganellin and J.-C. Schwartz) pp. 131–140. Pergammon, Oxford 1985.
J.-F. Bach, L. Chatenoud and M. Dy,Lymphocytes and histamine, a new entry to immunoregulation. InFrontiers in Histamine Research. (Ed. C.R. Ganellin and J.-C. Schwartz) pp. 353–356, Pergammon, Oxford 1985.
R.E. Rocklin,Histamine-induced cell responses in normal and atopic subjects. InFrontiers in Histamine Research. (Ed. C. R. Ganellin and J.-C. Schwartz) pp. 357–364, Pergammon, Oxford 1985.
L. Gallopin, F. Raynaud, C. Ponvert, A. Fray, P. Scheinmann, G. Lespinats, P. Canu and C. Burtin,Tissue histamine levels and mast cell numbers in tumour-bearing mice. Agents and Actions14, 494–496 (1984).
J. Batholeyns and M. Bouclier,Involvement of histamine in growth of mouse and rat tumours: Antitumoural properties of monofluoromethylhistidine, an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase. Cancer Res.44, 639–645 (1984).
J. Bartholeyns and F.R. Fozard,Role of histamine in tumor development. Trends Pharmacol. Sci.6, 123–125 (1985).
C. Burtin, P. Scheinmann, J.C. Salomon, G. Lespinats and P. Canu,Decrease in tumour growth by injections of histamine or serotonin in fibrosarcoma-bearing mice: Influence of H 1 andH 2 receptors. Brit. J. Cancer45, 54–60 (1982).
C. Burtin, C. Noiret, P. Scheinmann, L. Galoppin, D. Sabolovic and P. Bernard,Clinical improvement in advanced cancer disease after treatment combining histamine and H 2-antihistamines (ranitidine or cimetidine). Eur. J. Cancer Clin. Oncol.24, 161–167 (1988).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pearce, F.L. Biological effects of histamine: An overview. Agents and Actions 33, 4–7 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01993112
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01993112