Histamine synthesis and catabolism in various tissues in diabetic rats

In view of the observations that (1) plasma histamine concentrations are significantly higher in diabetic patients and diabetic rats than those in controls, and (2) tissue concentrations of histamine are elevated in rats with experimental diabetes, we have investigated histamine synthesis, as reflected by histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity, and histamine catabolism, as reflected by histaminase activity, in various tissues of the diabetic rat. Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) showed an increase in histamine synthesis in various tissues; this was most marked in the aorta and to a lesser, but significant, extent in the kidneys, lungs, and heart, but not in the brain, stomach, or skin. Tissue content of histamine was significantly increased in all tissues except the stomach and skin. We conclude that tissue histamine synthesis is significantly increased in diabetic animals and that this increase is most marked in the aorta. The elevation in HDC activity in these tissues probably accounts for the increase in tissue and plasma concentrations of histamine in diabetic animals, since there is no change in histamine catabolism. This increase in histamine synthesis and release may contribute to the pathogenesis of endothelial damage in diabetic microangiopathy and macroangiopathy.