Endogenous and exogenous free radical scavengers significantly decrease mast cell histamine release induced by coincubation with resting, activated platelets or with platelet-derived supernatant. Histamine and pyridylethylamine dose-dependently enhance platelet aggregation; the effect is potentiated by ranitidine and blocked by mepyramine. Histamine increases also cytosolic calcium concentration in platelets stimulated with thrombin, and binding sites for [3H]-mepyramine are present on platelet membranes.