Cardiovascular responses during histamine iontophoresis therapy

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of histamine iontophoresis on the cardiovascular system. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored in 15 healthy males (ages 23-28 years) during histamine iontophoresis and direct current stimulation treatments. Cardiovascular responses were monitored before (for five minutes), during (for 20 minutes) and after (for five minutes) treatments. Blood pressure and heart rate did not change significantly (p > 0.05) from the baseline during either of the treatments, except in the fifth minute of the treatment when the systolic blood pressure during histamine iontophoresis was significantly lower than during direct current stimulation (p < 0.01). No other significant difference in the measured responses was noted. It was concluded that local administration of histamine dihydrochloride (1 per cent gel) into the skin by direct current for 20 minutes did not appreciably alter the blood pressure and heart rate responses.