Inhibitory effect of lysophosphatidylcholine on the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells

Histamine release from isolated rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80 (0.5 microgram/ml) or antigen-antibody reaction was inhibited by lysophosphatidylcholine in a dose-dependent fashion at concentrations up to 4 microM. Within the same range of concentration, lysophosphatidylcholine exhibited a membrane-stabilizing action on the model membrane systems decreasing the permeability of lipid bilayer and the fluidity of liposomal membrane in the liquid crystalline state. At concentrations higher than 8 microM, lysophosphatidylcholine damaged the cell membrane and subsequently histamine was released. It was assumed that lysophosphatidylcholine may act as an endogenous membrane stabilizer inhibiting histamine release in normal mast cells.