AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 262, Issue 1 1-13, Copyright © 1992 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Histamine: mercurial messenger in the gut

P. K. Rangachari

This review considers the possibility that histamine functions as a cellular messenger in the gastrointestinal tract. Any biological messenger must be produced, received, and responded to, and must have its actions quickly terminated. Histamine is no exception. Histamine synthesis from L-histidine occurs in enterochromaffin-like cells, mucosal mast cells, and nerves. Histamine release occurs through both antibody-dependent and antibody-independent mechanisms. Released histamine interacts with a variety of cellular targets (epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, neurons, and a variety of immunocompetent cells). Occupation of H1, H2, and H3 receptors, defined by pharmacological agents, is transduced by different intracellular messengers (Ca2+, cyclic nucleotides) into diverse effects such as secretion, contraction, or modulation of other secretagogues. The responses to histamine are terminated by at least three different mechanisms: metabolic transformation by the actions of methyltransferase and diamine oxidase, desensitization at the receptor level, and cellular uptake. In addition to its well-documented effects as a mediator of inflammatory processes, histamine may also function as a neuro- and immunoregulator. While a significant pathophysiological role for histamine has been realized since the earliest description of its effects, the availability of newer pharmacological agents has permitted a finer dissection of its "physiological" effects and raised the possibility of multiple roles for histamine.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Colucci, J. V. Fleming, R. Xavier, and T. C. Wang L-Histidine decarboxylase decreases its own transcription through downregulation of ERK activity Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, October 1, 2001; 281(4): G1081 - G1091. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. D. Wang, M. Wang, A. Todisco, E. Grand, and J. del Valle The human histamine H2 receptor regulates c-jun and c-fos in a differential manner Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, June 1, 2000; 278(6): C1246 - C1255. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. V. Ohning, M. Song, H. C. Wong, S. V. Wu, and J. H. Walsh Immunolocalization of gastrin-dependent histidine decarboxylase activity in rat gastric mucosa during feeding Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, October 1, 1998; 275(4): G660 - G667. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. E. Kreis, W. Haupt, A. J. Kirkup, and D. Grundy Histamine sensitivity of mesenteric afferent nerves in the rat jejunum Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, October 1, 1998; 275(4): G675 - G680. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Del Valle and I. Gantz Novel insights into histamine H2 receptor biology Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, November 1, 1997; 273(5): G987 - G996. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]