Amylase secretion induced by histamine from guinea-pig parotid gland

The mode of action of histamine and its analogues on the secretion of amylase from guinea-pig parotid gland was studied in vitro using chopped parotid tissue. Histamine, 4-methylhistamine and 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine dose-dependently stimulated the secretion of amylase in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The effect of histamine was blocked by mepyramine but not by metiamide. Propranolol inhibited the effect of higher concentrations of histamine and 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine. A combination of mepyramine and propranolol markedly suppressed the effect of histamine and 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine. Atropine, phentolamine and tetrodotoxin had no influence on the histamine-induced secretion of amylase.