title: The effect of histamine on the immune response of hamsters to infection with Ancylostoma ceylanicum.
abstract: The role of histamine in modulating the immune response of hamsters infected with Ancylostoma ceylanicum (hookworm) was investigated. Histamine administration (20 mg base/hamster x 6 ip) made the immune hamsters susceptible to challenge infection, and on assay the humoral as well as the cell-mediated responses were found to be suppressed. An adverse effect of histamine was observed on lymphocytes but the macrophage function remained unaltered, since the latter lack histamine receptors. These findings provide definite evidence that histamine suppresses specific immune responses, and that contrary to earlier reports this neurotransmitter does not play a direct role in the 'self-cure' phenomenon.
authors: Division of Parasitology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gupta
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Katiyar
authors: R K
authors: RK
authors: Dogra
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Khanna
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Shanker
mesh_terms: D000724:Ancylostomiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006224:Cricetinae; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008647:Mesocricetus
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D006632:Histamine