Histamine secretion from mast cells stimulated with somatostatin.

Histamine release from isolated mast cells stimulated with somatostatin resembled that induced by other basic agents. The process was rapid, independent of added calcium or phospholipids, non-cytotoxic, species and tissue specific, not mediated through cell-fixed antibodies or glucoreceptors, and inhibited by antagonists of the polyamine receptor. Somatostatin and other polycations may then act through a common receptor or binding site on the mast cell membrane.