Effect of ascorbic acid on histamine metabolism in scorbutic guinea-pigs

J Physiol. 1975 Oct;251(2):271-9. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1975.sp011091.

Abstract

1. In guinea-pigs fed an ascorbic-acid-free diet, as the ascorbic acid levels decreased the histamine levels in blood and urine rose steadily to maxima in about 10-12 days. The elevated histamine levels persisted in the blood and urine of scorbutic guinea-pigs and the histamine levels in lung, gastric mucosa and spleen also increased. The increased histamine content of the urine, blood and other tissues in the ascorbic-acid-depleted condition could be brought back to normal levels by administration of a single dose of ascorbic acid 5 mg/100 g body wt. guinea-pig. 3. The drop in the elevated histamine level was not due to an indirect effect of ascorbic acid on histamine forming capacity, histaminase activity or histamine release.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / blood
  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / blood
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Ascorbic Acid / urine
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Histamine / blood
  • Histamine / metabolism*
  • Histamine / urine
  • Histamine Release / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mast Cells / metabolism
  • Peritoneum / drug effects
  • Peritoneum / metabolism
  • Scurvy / metabolism*

Substances

  • Histamine
  • Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)
  • Ascorbic Acid