Plasma histamine concentrations and complement activation during house dust mite-provoked bronchial obstructive reactions.

Lung function and histamine levels in peripheral venous plasma samples were followed after challenge with house dust mite allergen. In eight patients the mean maximal histamine concentration showed a significant rise during the early obstructive reaction when compared with the concentrations at similar time intervals after inhalation of a control solution. In nine other patients treatment with disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) caused a significant fall in plasma histamine concentrations indicating that histamine liberation plays a role during the early obstructive reaction and was released from the lung compartment. Histamine during early obstructive reactions compared with the pre-inhalation values did show a rise in mean maximal histamine concentration (1.5-4.1 ng/ml) but this was statistically not significant. During the late reaction neither significant increase in histamine nor inhibition by DSCG was found. Measurement of complement degradation products did not support the role of complement activation during either early or late bronchial obstructive reactions.