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Biogenic amines in the Arthus reaction.
S Taniguchi1, T Tachibana, S Miwa
1Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Experimental and Molecular Pathology
|October 1, 1987
Summary
In Arthus reactions, serotonin levels initially drop then rise, while tryptamine and dopamine decrease. This correlates with reduced histamine-N-methyltransferase (HMT) activity, suggesting other inhibitory factors may be involved.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Histamine-N-methyltransferase (HMT) is crucial for histamine metabolism.
- Biogenic amines like serotonin, tryptamine, and dopamine can inhibit HMT in vitro.
- The Arthus reaction is an acute immune complex-mediated inflammatory response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the concentrations of key biogenic amines in the Arthus reaction.
- To correlate changes in biogenic amine levels with histamine-N-methyltransferase (HMT) activity.
- To explore potential inhibitory factors affecting HMT during inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative determination of serotonin, tryptamine, and dopamine concentrations.
- Assessment of histamine-N-methyltransferase (HMT) activity at the reaction site.
- Comparison of amine levels and HMT activity in Arthus reactions versus control and other dermatitis models.
Main Results:
- Serotonin concentration decreased significantly in the Arthus reaction site, followed by a marked increase.
- Tryptamine and dopamine concentrations decreased in the Arthus reaction site.
- A significant decrease in HMT activity was observed, not fully explained by amine concentration changes.
Conclusions:
- The observed decrease in HMT activity during the Arthus reaction is complex.
- Changes in serotonin, tryptamine, and dopamine do not stoichiometrically account for HMT inhibition.
- Other unidentified inhibitory factors likely contribute to reduced HMT activity in the Arthus reaction.