The presence of histamine and tele-methylhistamine in the pineal gland of chick.

The levels of histamine (HA) and tele-methylhistamine (t-MeHA) in chick pineal gland were measured by RIA at two time points, i.e. at the end of the light (L) phase and in the middle of the dark (D) phase of 12 h: 12 h L:D cycle. The chick pineal gland showed high HA levels (12.19 and 13.09 ng/pineal at L and D, respectively). The t-MeHA content of chick pineal gland was about 20-times lower than HA level (650.2 and 536.4 pg/pineal at L and D, respectively). An aminoacid precursor of HA, L-histidine (1 g/kg, ip), given to chicks during L or D significantly increased both HA and t-MeHA content of the pineal gland. The L-histidine-evoked elevations in HA level were 2-4-times higher than changes in t-MeHA content. Enzymatic study showed the presence in chick pineal of a moderate activity of L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC), and well expressed activity of HA-methyltransferase (HMT), HA synthesizing and inactivating enzyme, respectively, which suggests that both HA and t-MeHA may be produced within the gland. It is suggested that the metabolic dynamics of the pineal HA may be higher during lighthours than darkhours of the daily light:dark illumination cycle.