Histamine is a body chemical that is released from mast cells, where it contributes to the immune response against allergies or other body invaders and to increased stomach acid secretion and digestion. In addition to its natural form, manufactured histamine is available as a medication for use in some diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Allergy Skin Prick Test Control
Histamine causes a characteristic wheal and flare pattern on the skin during an attack of a foreign substance on the body, and the extent of histamine response is measured by the size of the wheal (i.e., the swollen, raised section of skin) and the diameter of the flare (i.e., the red area surrounding the wheal). Because histamine reacts this way so consistently, it is injected percutaneously, or as a skin prick, as the positive control in allergy skin testing. All potential allergens create a wheal and flare, which are measured next to the histamine positive control.
Gastric Effects
Histamine release from mast cells and binding to histamine receptors occurs not only in skin but also in the gut. Histamine increases stomach secretions to aid digestion in response to food stimulation, and this effect is commonly countered with anti-ulcer medications in diseases like peptic ulcer disease.
Potential Obesity Effects
A 2007 report by E.A. Jorgensen et al, in the journal "Neuroendocrinology," reported additional histamine effects in the gastrointestinal system of mice. Histamine release during digestion appears to contribute to continued effects of leptin, a chemical that inhibits appetite, in some types of obesity. In addition, histamine may enhance the rate of fat breakdown, but more studies are needed to confirm either effect.
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