Studies on the Histaminase and Diamine-oxidase Activities of the Blood with Special Reference to the Effect of Thermal Bath and Histamine Sensitivity

Abstract

Using mice (D. D. D. strain) and rats (Wistar strain), the author observed the following;
1) Intraperitoneal administration of Hemophilus pertussis vaccine (H-P-V) to mice and rats by single injection or by 20 serial injections in 1/20 divided dosis, led to increased histamine sensitivity, reaching the highest peak 4-5 days after the last injection, while the injection with mixed typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine, diphtheria vaccine or tuberculin, did not give similar result.
2) Histamine sensitivity induced by H-P-V in mice and rats was depressed by diphenhydramine or prednisolone given immediately before the histamine challenge, but it was not inhibited when given during the sensitizing period. On the contray, it was inhibited by vitamine P (Quercetin) given during the sensitizing period but was not inhibited when given immediately before the challenge injection.
3) Decarboxylase inhibitor (α-methyl-DOPA) did not inhibit the development of histamine sensitivity induced by H-P-V.
4) Injections of histamine 5mg daily for five days did not increase histamine death rate in rats on the sixth day.
5) Serum histaminase activity (determined by Kapeller-Adler method) proved decreased by H-P-V sensitization on the fifth day after vaccination.
6) Serum diamine oxidase activity (Ravin) was markedly increased by the injection of H-P-V but it was not increased by injection of Typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine or tuberculin.
7) The increase of serum diamine oxidase activity induced by H-P-V was not inhibited by prednisolone, α-methyl-DOPA or Quercetin.
8) Histamine sensitivity was induced by repeated injections of small doses of H-P-V in rats as mentioned already, however, serum diamine oxidase activity was not increased by such procedure.
9) Liver function tests (serum total protein, A/G ratio, alkaline phosphatase, GOT, GPT, cholin esterase activity) revealed no injurious effect of the administration of H-P-V.
10) Guinea pigs were bathed in plain water or 1g/l saline water at a temperature of 38-39°C for 15min. every day for 20 days. Histamine sensitivity of the lung was measured by a modified Friebel's apparatus. No definite change was observed by plain water bath but it showed an increase at the initial stage and a decrease at the end of the serial saline bathings. Serum histaminase activity showed a tendency to decrease at the initial stage and a recovery at the end of the serial saline bath. Serum diamine oxidase activity was gradually increased as the serial thermal baths were carried on.
11) Histamin sensitivity of the guinea pig was most markedly lowered by serial hydrogen sulfide (sulfur) water bathings for 2 weeks. Serum histaminase and also diamine oxidase activities also showed a marked increase by the serial sulfur water baths.
12) Rabbits were bathed in plain water, 1g/l NaCl, 1g/l Na₂SO₄ or 5mg/l H₂S waters at 39°C for 20min. daily for 2 weeks. Serum histaminase activity before each bath rose as the serial bathings of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ water were continued while it showed a tendency to fall by plain water or NaHCO₃ water baths.
In NaCl-bath group a marked fall in histaminase activity by the bath was observed in two weeks.
Diamine oxidase activity increased in the above mentioned 4 groups as the course of the serial thermal bathings were carried on, especially in NaCl and Na₂SO₄ water bathing groups.
13) Serum diamine oxidase activity was markedly increased by the serial thermal baths at Kusatsu spa, namely hydrogen sulfide containing strongly acid water bath, especially at the time of bath-dermatitis.