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Histamine stimulates prolactin release in norman men
Acta Endocrinologica
|May 1, 1978
Summary
Histamine infusion significantly increased prolactin (PRL) levels in humans, but not growth hormone (GH). This suggests histamine directly stimulates the pituitary gland to release PRL in people.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Histamine is known to stimulate prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) release in animal models.
- Understanding histamine's effect on human pituitary hormone secretion is crucial for elucidating its physiological roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of histamine administration on prolactin and growth hormone levels in healthy human volunteers.
- To determine if histamine influences PRL and GH secretion in humans similarly to observations in experimental animals.
Main Methods:
- Nine healthy volunteers received an intravenous infusion of histamine (200 micrograms over 15 minutes).
- Five participants also underwent an intravenous infusion of histidine for comparison.
- Blood samples were collected to measure PRL and GH levels before and after infusions.
Main Results:
- Histamine infusion led to a significant increase in PRL levels in 7 out of 9 subjects, reaching a maximum of 36.2 +/- 12.09 ng/ml.
- Growth hormone (GH) levels remained unaffected by histamine infusion.
- Histidine infusion had no significant effect on either PRL or GH levels.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral histamine administration stimulates prolactin release in humans, likely through direct action on the pituitary gland, as histamine does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
- The observed PRL release is not attributable to a general stress response, as growth hormone levels were not elevated.
- These findings highlight a specific role for histamine in regulating prolactin secretion in humans.