Role of histamine and platelet-activating factor in allergic rhinitis.
This review is focused on the effects of histamine and platelet-activating factor (PAF) in allergic rhinitis and the plausible implications for therapy. Rhinitis is defined as a heterogeneous disorder resulting from an IgE-mediated reaction associated with nasal inflammation of variable intensity. Two phases of response are triggered by an IgE/allergen cross-linking event: the first is the release of preformed mediators such as histamine or interleukins from mast cells and basophils; the second begins when cells start producing lipid-derived mediators. One of these mediators is PAF. Apart from leukotrienes, PAF is perhaps the most potent inflammatory mediator in allergic rhinitis for inducing vascular leakage, a response that may contribute to the appearance of rhinorrhea and nasal congestion.
Department of Physiology, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. valfaro@ub.edu
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D000818:Animals; D006632:Histamine / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D006632:Histamine