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Food-induced histaminosis as an epidemiological problem: Plasma histamine elevation and haemodynamic alterations after oral histamine administration and blockade of diamine oxidase (DAO)

  • Histamine in Pathophysiology and Clinical Studies
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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Theoretical Surgery and Surgical Clinic, Centre of Operative Medicine I, Philipps University Marburg, Baldingerstr., D-3550, Marburg, FRG

    J. Sattler, D. Häfner, H. -J. Klotter, W. Lorenz & P. K. Wagner

Authors
  1. J. Sattler
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  2. D. Häfner
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  3. H. -J. Klotter
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  4. W. Lorenz
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  5. P. K. Wagner
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Dedicated to Professor Friedhelm Schneider on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Supported by grant of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Lo 199/15-1).

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Sattler, J., Häfner, D., Klotter, H.J. et al. Food-induced histaminosis as an epidemiological problem: Plasma histamine elevation and haemodynamic alterations after oral histamine administration and blockade of diamine oxidase (DAO). Agents and Actions 23, 361–365 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02142588

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02142588

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