Stephan V, Zimmermann A, Kühr J, Urbanek R. Determination of N-methylhistamine in urine as an indicator of histamine release in immediate allergic reactions.
J Allergy Clin Immunol 1990;
86:862-8. [PMID:
1702126 DOI:
10.1016/s0091-6749(05)80147-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The use of the urine histamine metabolite, N-methylhistamine (N-MH), as a parameter of histamine release in immediate allergic reactions was investigated. Baseline levels were determined in 34 normal control subjects and 29 atopic patients. Increases of urine N-MH values were measured during histamine infusions and in venom-allergic patients receiving bee-sting challenges. N-MH was determined by a newly developed radioimmunoassay. Baseline levels in control subjects and atopic patients demonstrated no significant differences. With regard to challenge tests, fluctuation of N-MH levels during a 6-hour period was measured. Random 6-hour increases in healthy and atopic subjects ranged from 5% to 41%. Before infusion of histamine (0.25 micrograms/kg/min for 30 minutes), baseline values were 137 +/- 11.4 micrograms N-MH per gram of creatinine and 9 +/- 1.1 micrograms N-MH per hour (n = 9). Levels peaked 1 hour after infusion at 275 +/- 45 micrograms/gm of creatinine and 44 +/- 5.6 micrograms/hr and decreased to resting levels after 2 hours. Metabolization by N-MH accounted for 9.5% +/- 4.9% (range, 2.4% to 18.4%) of infused histamine in the urine of the nine subjects. Bee-sting challenges were performed in 12 patients and three control subjects. Only in three patients experiencing generalized urticaria, nausea, dyspnea, and hypotension were significant increases of urine N-MH levels (138%, 144%, and 238%) observed. All other patients and three normal control subjects demonstrated normal local reactions without increase of N-MH values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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