title: Food-induced histaminosis as an epidemiological problem: plasma histamine elevation and haemodynamic alterations after oral histamine administration and blockade of diamine oxidase (DAO).
abstract: In a randomized controlled trial, 30 pigs were orally treated with histamine (60 mg). In addition, half of the animals underwent a specific blockade of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO), which is the main histamine catabolising enzyme in the intestinal tract. Only these DAO-blocked animals exhibited severe clinical symptoms (e.g. hypotension, flush, vomiting) and, in parallel, showed tremendous elevations of plasma histamine levels of up to 160 ng/ml. 3 out of 15 animals in this group died within the experimental period. In contrast, the control animals neither exhibited plasma histamine levels above 5 ng/ml nor had any clinical reactions. These results contradict the current opinion that oral histamine intake in food is not clinically relevant, especially since many commonly used drugs are DAO-inhibitors and approximately 20% of our population take these drugs. Apart from drugs, some other factors (alcohol, spoilt food etc.) can also function via a blockade of DAO as an additional risk. DAO-blockade is therefore a real epidemiological problem. Evidence is presented here for the new disease concept: Food-Induced Histaminosis.
mesh_terms: D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006632:Histamine / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D006632:Histamine; D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)