Release and permeation of histamine in isolated caecum epithelia of pigs.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to investigate the role of histamine in the porcine caecum with special regard to its release and permeation.


METHODS
Caecal epithelia were mounted in Ussing chambers. Mast cells were stimulated by A23187 (1 micromol/l). Permeation and changes in short-circuit current (Isc) were assessed after unilateral application of 3H-labelled histamine (100 micromol/l). Mucosal-to-serosal (ms) and serosal- to-mucosal (sm) flux rates were calculated based on the contralateral appearance of radioactive histamine label (hist-rad; representing histamine plus catabolites) as well as histamine. 14C-mannitol fluxes were measured to assess paracellular permeability.


RESULTS
Both A23187 and serosal addition of histamine increased Isc of caecal epithelia. The Isc increase due to A23187 was associated with an elevated histamine release from epithelia. A discrepancy between hist-rad and histamine fluxes (P<0.05) indicated efficient histamine catabolism (ca. 85%), which was decreased by blockage of diamine oxidase through aminoguanidine. Fluxes of histamine were correlated to 14C-mannitol fluxes. Fluxes of hist-rad and histamine were higher in the sm direction.


CONCLUSIONS
Histamine can be released from endogenous stores and acts on the epithelium. The absorption of luminal histamine is predominantly restricted by paracellular permeability and catabolism. The latter is only partially catalysed by diamine oxidase.
Ahrens
F
F
Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 7, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. f.ahrens@tierhyg.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de
Gäbel
G
G
Aschenbach
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002432:Cecum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D008353:Mannitol / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
D007476:Ionophores; D000001:Calcimycin; D008353:Mannitol; D006632:Histamine