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Published on: October 14, 2014
Spontaneous histamine release after exposure to hyperosmolar solutions
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|July 1, 1986
Summary
Certain allergic individuals
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Basophils from some allergic individuals spontaneously release histamine.
- Hyperosmolar conditions may influence this release.
- Radiocontrast media can be hyperosmolar.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spontaneous histamine release from basophils after hyperosmolar buffer exposure.
- To compare activation thresholds in allergic versus normal individuals.
Main Methods:
- Leukocytes from 71 volunteers (normal and allergic) were suspended in hyperosmolar (770 mosm/kg) Ca++-free buffers for 15 minutes.
- Cells were then resuspended in isosmolar buffers with Ca++ to measure histamine release.
- Activation and release kinetics were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Hyperosmolar buffer exposure induced significant histamine release (mean 29%) in a subset of individuals.
- Cells from individuals with food allergy showed significantly higher activation compared to normal volunteers (p < 0.005).
- Activation occurred rapidly (as early as 30 seconds) and was Ca++-independent, while release was partially Ca++ dependent.
Conclusions:
- Basophils from certain allergic individuals exhibit heightened responsiveness to osmotic stress.
- This osmotic activation of basophils may contribute to adverse reactions to hyperosmolar radiocontrast media.
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