Effects of intravenous histamine on static lung compliance and airway resistance in normal man

Static lung compliance and airway resistance were measured in 30 experiments on 6 healthy subjects after intravenous injection of a bolus of histamine (4 mug per kg of body weight). Analysis of the pooled results showed a significant decrease in static lung compliance (maximal mean decrease,--16 per cent occurring 20 sec after injection). There was no significant change in functional residual capacity or vital capacity after injection of the histamine. Administration of propranolol (a beta-adrenergic blocking agent) did not significantly enhance the responses to histamine. The results suggested that humans, like other species, can constrict peripheral airways sufficiently to produce alterations in the static elastic properties of the lungs.