EFFECTS OF CADAVERINE ON HISTAMINE TRANSPORT AND METABOLISM IN ISOLATED GUT SECTIONS OF THE GUINEA-PIG

The effects of cadaverine on histamine transport and metabolism in the intestine were studied in vitro with isolated sections of guinea-pig gut. [Ring-2-14C]histamine diluted with non-radioactive histamine was placed in the gut sac, with and without cadaverine and the solution outside the gut sac was analysed at intervals, for 3 hr. No latent period was observed before the transport of radioactivity began. Cadaverine increased the rate of transport of radioactivity across the gut wall. The relative effect of cadaverine on transport of radioactivity decreased as the ratio of cadaverine: histamine approached 1:2. Cadaverine produced only small changes in the relative levels of histamine and histamine metabolites that appeared outside the gut sac. These findings are discussed in relation to a proposed mechanism of cadaverine potentiation of histamine toxicity in vivo. © 1979.