[Arterial plasma histamine concentration for airway obstruction due to different areas of the bronchial system. IV. Communication (author's transl)]

Cell instability in basophil leukocytes of patients with chronic obstructive airway disease

The histamine release from basophils induced by hypo-osmolarity was investigated in 75 healthy persons and in 43 patients with chronic obstructive airway disease. Leukocyte suspensions were diluted with destilled water in cell/water ratio volumen of 1:1, 1:3, and 1:7. Basophils, sequentially treated with increasing amounts of water, show an activation of the release process. A statistically significant age-dependent hypo-osmolar histamine liberation could be demonstrated. Furthermore, a significant higher cell stability was found for the group of patients.

Histamine release into tracheal lumen and bronchial reactivity. Effect of local allergen administration on histamine release and bronchial reactivity

The influence of tracheal lavage with an allergen on the airway response to bronchial challenge with histamine, acetylcholine, and ascaris extract was investigated in 36 dogs. High histamine concentrations were measured in the tracheal solution after lavage with allergen. This amine, released on the mucosal surface, was observed in only very small concentrations in the circulation. Airway response to acetylcholine inhalation was significantly increased after tracheal lavage with allergen. This hyperreactivity of the lower airways induced by tracheal lavage with an allergen suggests that a reflex mechanism is involved. After histamine inhalation a significantly larger antigen-induced histamine release to tracheal lumen was observed. No influence on airway response was found after tracheal lavage with H2O.

Effects of exogenous and endogenous histamine on the respiratory system

There is a statistically strong correlation between the increase of the histamine concentration in the arterial plasma and the increase of airway resistance. The histamine causes a reflex bronchoconstriction on the sensory receptors. Histamine in low concentration increases the unspecific reaction in the bronchial system. This can also be achieved using low concentrations of allergen aerosols. Patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis show high concentrations of histamine in the sputum. The bronchoconstrictive potency of this histamine was found to be not always active. Higher concentrations of histamine can be liberated by washing the inner surface of the bronchial tree. Histamine injected in similar concentrations as that measured in the sputum causes bronchoconstriction. There should be high concentrations of histamine receptors as well as mast cells near the surface of the mucosa of the bronchial wall. There are many questions remaining open, which will be discussed.

The action of disodium cromoglycate on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction

The influence of DSCG administered to the upper and lower area of the air-conducting system on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction was studied in 34 dogs. In high doses DSCG administered to the upper airtract blocked bronchoconstriction and histamine release induced from the lower airways. Bronchoconstriction and histamine release originating from the upper airtract were not completely blocked by this kind of drug administration. Effects were differently strong in the individual animals. High doses of DSCG, administered to the lower airways, showed significant effect on bronchoconstriction originating from the lower airways. There was some yet nonsignificant effect on histamine release. Inhibition of respiratory activity without parallel inhibition of histamine release might suggest that plasma histamine concentration does not reflect the mode of action of DSCG in antigen-induced bronchoconstriction.

[Arterial plasma histamine concentration during inhalation of allergen and acetylcholine before and after vagotomy. V. Communication (author's transl)]

In allergic dogs ascaris extract (A.E.) inhalation and, to a less extent, acetylcholine inhalation cause a significant increase in the histamine concentration in the arterial plasma. A.E. and acetylcholine cause a similarly strong increase in Edyn. After bilateral vagotomy A.E. and acetylcholine inhalation entail only a minimal increase in Edyn. The increase in the arterial plasma histamine concentration is as strong as before vagotomy. The results support the assumption that both A.E. and acetylcholine act on the sensory receptors of the reflexway via a reflex mechanism. PO2a decreases as Edyn increases. However, after vagotomy PO2a still decreases significantly although Edyn changes hardly. A.E. and acetylcholine are assumed to have a direct effect on the non-vagus controlled peripheral airways. The peripheral airways are mainly responsible for changes in the arterial blood gases but show no effect on Edyn or airway resistance measurements.