Local histamine release after immunological and non-immunological mast cell degranulation in vivo.

Plasma histamine concentration in the circulation has been proposed as an index of mast cell degranulation occurring in vivo but there are problems with this approach in practice. Local elevations in plasma histamine occur in blood draining the site of antigen challenge in forearm skin. We have compared changes in plasma histamine concentration with time following intradermal injection of antigen, codeine or histamine to produce matched wheal and flare responses in 4 atopic subjects. Less histamine appears to be released after non-immunological challenge.