Gupta S, Katiyar J C, Dogra R K, Khanna S, Shanker R
Division of Parasitology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 1990 Aug;84(4):393-9. doi: 10.1080/00034983.1990.11812485.
The role of histamine in modulating the immune response of hamsters infected with Ancylostoma ceylanicum (hookworm) was investigated. Histamine administration (20 mg base/hamster x 6 ip) made the immune hamsters susceptible to challenge infection, and on assay the humoral as well as the cell-mediated responses were found to be suppressed. An adverse effect of histamine was observed on lymphocytes but the macrophage function remained unaltered, since the latter lack histamine receptors. These findings provide definite evidence that histamine suppresses specific immune responses, and that contrary to earlier reports this neurotransmitter does not play a direct role in the 'self-cure' phenomenon.
