BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is considered a complex and multifactorial disease. Excessive histamine intake may induce an attack of urticaria. The main enzyme for histamine metabolism is diamine oxidase (DAO). OBJECTIVE: Plasma histamine concentrations and DAO activities were evaluated to determine whether there are abnormalities in the histamine metabolism of CIU patients. METHODS: Seventy-five CIU patients and twenty-five healthy control subjects were included in the study. Blood was taken from all subjects to measure plasma levels of the histamine and DAO. RESULTS: Mean plasma histamine levels were significantly higher in CIU patients (11.59+/-10.98 nM) than in the control subjects (8.75+/-2.55 nM) (p=0.04). Mean DAO activities were lower in patients of CIU (80.86+/-26.81 histamine degrading unit [HDU]/ml) than in the controls (81.60+/-9.67 HDU/ml), but without significant difference. In 15 CIU patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, the mean histamine concentration was higher (12.43+/-7.97 nM) and DAO activity was lower (77.93+/-27.53 HDU/ml) than in the remaining 60 CIU patients without gastrointestinal symptoms (11.38+/-11.67 nM and 81.58+/-26.82 HDU/ml), without significant difference. The relationship between DAO activity and plasma histamine concentrations showed a significant negative linear value (p=0.001). There were no significant relationships between plasma histamine concentrations and symptom severity score. CONCLUSION: In CIU patients, a high plasma histamine concentration may not be explained by DAO activity. CIU patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms showed no significantly lower DAO activity. Larger group studies are required to elucidate the relationship between plasma histamine concentrations and DAO activity, especially of CIU patients with GI symptomsto understand the difference in CIU patients with and without GI symptoms.
Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; Histamine ; Humans ; Plasma ; Urticaria

BACKGROUND: For atopic dermatitis (AD), the causal relationship between food and exacerbation is relatively weak in adults compared to children. However, many adult patients report food-related aggravation of AD, and some may have histamine intolerance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ingested histamine and investigate the effect of a histamine-free diet in adult patients with AD. METHODS: Adult patients with AD and healthy controls were enrolled. Patients were prohibited from eating foods with high amounts of histamine for 4 weeks. There were no diet restrictions for the controls. The eczema area and severity index (EASI) and degree of pruritus using the visual analogue scale (VAS) were evaluated. Plasma histamine levels and diamine oxidase (DAO) activity were determined, and compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: Seventeen adult patients were recruited and of these, 12 completed the 4-week histamine-free diet. There was no significant difference in the basal plasma histamine levels between the patients and controls. Basal DAO activity was significantly higher in patients compared to the controls. There was no significant difference in plasma histamine levels after the histamine free-diet and DAO activity was not altered. Moreover, EASI and VAS were similar before and after the histamine-free diet. CONCLUSION: Ingested histamine might be unrelated with AD severity and a histamine-free diet is unhelpful for adult patients with AD.
Adult* ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Diet* ; Eating ; Eczema ; Histamine ; Humans ; Plasma ; Pruritus

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of experimental liver injury on the intestinal barrier, and to evaluate the significance of plasma D(-)-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO) and endotoxin in live injury.

METHODSFifty-five rats were randomized into the acute liver failure group (group C, n = 25), acute liver injury group (group B, n = 15), and control group (group A, n = 15). The concentrations of D(-)-lactate, DAO and endotoxin in plasma were detected by spectrophotograph. The morphology and subcellular structure were observed under optical microscope and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSAcute liver failure and acute liver injury models were established successfully. The concentrations of D(-)-lactate and DAO in the plasma of experimental groups (group B and C) were significantly higher than those in the control group (P less than 0.05); the concentration of intestinal DAO in experimental groups were significantly lower than that in the control group (P less than 0.05); the level of endotoxin in C group was significantly higher than that in group A and group B (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLiver injury induces hyperpermeability of the rat intestinal mucosal barrier, plasma D(-)-lactate and DAO are sensitive markers for early diagnosis of liver injury, plasma endotoxin may accelerate deterioration of liver function.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; Animals ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Intestines ; Liver Function Tests ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effects of two types of ischemic postconditioning (IP) on intestinal mucosa barrier in rabbits with crush injury of the hind limb.

METHODSThis study was conducted between August and December 2008 in the Department of Trauma Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. The model of crush injury to the hind limb of rabbits was firstly developed by a 25 kg object with the right hind limbs fixed by wooden splints, and then two types of IP were established, including occluding/opening the common iliac artery and vein alternatively (traditional IP, IP A) and binding/loosening the proximum of the injured hind limb alternatively (modified IP, IP B). Thirty-six male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: IP A group, IP B group and control group, with 12 rabbits in each group. The serum levels of diamine oxidase (DAO) and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) were detected at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injury. Pathological changes of ileum were examined at 24 hours after injury.

RESULTSThe serum levels of I-FABP at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injury in both IP A and IP B groups had a significant decrease, compared with control group. DAO levels also showed the same change trend at 2 and 6 hours after injury, but showed no significant difference between two IP groups. No difference in pathological changes of ileum was found among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONSIP can protect intestinal mucosa barrier function on the model of hind limb crush injury in rabbits. Meanwhile the modified IP B shows the same protection as the traditional IP A, and is worth applying in clinic.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; metabolism ; Animals ; Hindlimb ; injuries ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Male ; Rabbits

BACKGROUND: In adult patients with chronic urticaria (CU), the prevalence of food allergy is low compared to childhood patients. However, there are many patients who report food-related aggravation of CU, and some of them may have histamine intolerance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ingested histamine and to investigate the effect of a histamine-free diet in adult patients with CU. METHODS: Twenty-two adult patients with CU were enrolled. Foods with high amounts of histamine were prohibited to all patients for four weeks. The degree of severity of the urticaria was evaluated using the urticaria severity score (USS) and urticaria activity score (UAS). Plasma histamine levels and diamine oxidase (DAO) activity were determined and compared before (baseline) and after the histamine-free diet. RESULTS: Twenty-two adult patients were recruited and completed four weeks of histamine-free diet. The USS and UAS scores each showed significant differences before and after the histamine-free diet (p=0.010, p=0.006). There was a significant reduction in plasma histamine level after the histamine free-diet, compared with baseline (p=0.010). However, DAO activity did not change after the histamine-free diet (p=0.165). CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that ingested histamine might be related to CU severity and that a histamine-free diet is helpful for treatment of adult patients with CU.
Adult* ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; Diet Therapy ; Diet* ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Histamine ; Humans ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Urticaria*

In order to probe into the patho-physiology semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), we determined the variation of its activity in the days of 3T3-F442A cells' differentiation into adipocytes in vitro. The differentiated 3T3-F442A cells were collected in various days and disrupted by ultrasonication. Then we studied the SSAO activity of the collected cells by oxidase-linked spectrophotometric assay. In the course of 3T3-F442A cells' differentiation, SSAO expression was shown by a curve graph. There was no SSAO detected in 3T3-F442A preadipocyte, and only a little of SSAO was detected in the cells on the 3rd day of differentiation. Since then, SSAO significantly increased and reached to a maximum level six or seven days after the cells' differentiation.
3T3 Cells ; Adipocytes ; cytology ; enzymology ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Mice ; Spectrophotometry ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on inflammatory injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham injury group, a model group, an EA group and a sham EA group, 12 rats in each group. Intestinal I/R rat models were established by method of clamping with occlusion of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 45 min followed by reperfusion. The EA group was treated with EA (2.5 mA, 2 Hz/100 Hz, 0.5 h) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) 30 min before reperfusion, and at the same time, the sham EA group was treated with fast insertion at two non-meridian acupoints on skin surface (2 cm horizontally away from linea alba abdominis and about 5 cm paralleled to cartilago ensiformis downward). No interventions were added on the sham injury group and the model group. The degree of pathological injury in intestines, water rate of intestines, diamine oxidase (DAO) activity and intestinal mucosal blood flow (IMBF) were examined at 1 h and 3 h after reperfusion.

RESULTSAt 1 h and 3 h after reperfusion, the intestinal pathological injury in EA group was significantly attenuated compared with that in model group, and the intestinal water rate of (74.00 +/- 2.11)% and (78.78 +/- 0.80)% in EA group were significantly lower than (80.69 +/- 1.66)% and (83.17 +/- 2.08)% in model group (both P < 0.01), but DAO of (68.83 +/- 4.31) U/L and (47.84 +/- 5.57) U/L as well as IMBF of (152 +/- 5.8) PU and (139.8 +/- 6.1) PU in EA group were significantly higher than DAO of (32.86 +/- 4.72) U/L, (17.01 +/- 2.96) U/L as well as IMBF of (124.7 +/- 8.3) PU and (89.4 +/- 13.2) PU in model group (all P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the above mentioned changes in sham EA group showed no significant differences compared with those in model group (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can not only reduce the inflammatory injury induced by intestinal IR but also increase intestinal blood supply so as to protect the intestine function.

Acupuncture Points ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; metabolism ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Inflammation ; therapy ; Intestines ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of glutamine on intestinal barrier function by examining the changes of plasma D-lactic levels and diamine oxidase (DAO) levels in plasma and intestinal tissue after glutamine intervention in young rats with endotoxemia.

METHODSEighty 18-day-old rats were randomly divided into endotoxemia and glutamine intervention groups (n=40 each). Endotoxemia was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Plasma and small intestine homogenate were collected 1.5, 6, 24 and 72 hrs and 7 days after LPS injection. The glutamine intervention group was immediately administered with oral glutamine (2 g/kg) after LPS injection. Afterwards, glutamine was administered once daily. Plasma D-lactic and DAO levels and intestinal DAO levels were measured.

RESULTSPlasma DAO activity in the glutamine intervention group was significantly lower than that in the endotoxemia group 6 and 72 hrs after LPS injection (P<0.05). In contrast, the intestinal DAO activity in the glutamine intervention group was significantly higher than that in the endotoxemia group 6, 24 and 72 hrs and 7 days after LPS injection (P<0.05 or 0.01). Plasma D-lactic levels in the glutamine intervention group were significantly lower than those in the endotoxemia group 6, 24 and 72 hrs and 7 days after LPS injection (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGlutamine may reduce the permeability of intestinal mucosa, and thus provides protective effects on intestinal barrier function in rats with endotoxemia.

Administration, Oral ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; metabolism ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Endotoxemia ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutamine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Food intolerance/malabsorption, particularly histamine intolerance (HIT), may cause nonspecific functional gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. We evaluated gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms in patients with HIT. METHODS: In an analysis of outpatients' charts we identified 133 patients, who presented with recurring nonspecific functional gastrointestinal, extraintestinal symptoms, and a diamine oxidase value <10 U/mL, indicative of HIT. A standardized anonymous questionnaire with symptoms of HIT based on known symptoms and the 4 histamine receptors including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and skin complaints was developed, and sent by mail to the patients. RESULTS: In the 62 patients that completed the questionnaire, bloating was the most common and most serious symptom. Other commonly reported gastrointestinal symptoms were postprandial fullness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. The presence of 2 from a list of 24 symptoms resulted in 276 various symptom combinations. From calculated 2.024 possible combinations of 3 symptoms the patients with HIT presented 1.975 combinations. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of this wide variability of symptoms and complex symptom combinations in patients with HIT may help to clinically recognize and diagnose HIT.
Abdominal Pain ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Glutens ; Histamine ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Postal Service ; Receptors, Histamine ; Skin

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shen-Fu (SF) injection on gastrointestinal tract injury and its potential mechanism.

METHODSThirty-eight patients undergoing elective open heart surgery were assigned to Group C (control group, n=18) and Group SF (n=20) randomly. In Group SF, the patients received intravenous injection of SF (0.5 ml/kg) at the beginning of the surgery followed by a continuous infusion of 100 ml SF (1.0 ml/kg) solution diluted by saline at a rate of 0.004 ml x Kg(-1) x min(-1) with a Grasby pump. The control group was injected with normal saline in the same volume. Gastric intramucosal pH (pHi), activity of blood diamine oxidase (DAO), and concentrations of blood LPS and IL-6 were measured before CPB (S0) and 1 h (S1) and 2 h (S2) after aortic declamping, respectively.

RESULTSIn Group C, pHi value was significantly lower at S1 and S2 than at S0 (mean P<0.01) and blood DAO and concentrations of LPS and IL-6 were significantly higher at S1 and S2 than at S0 (mean P<0.01). In Group SF, pHi was obviously lower at S1 and S2 than at S0 (P<0.05) but LPS and IL-6 levels and DAO were higher at S0 (mean P<0.05). Blood DAO and LPS level demonstrated significant negative correlations with pHi (mean P<0.01) while LPS concentration showed a positive correlation with blood DAO (P<0.01) and IL-6 concentration (P<0.05). At S1 and S2 after aortic declamping, the levels of pHi were higher in Group SF than in Group C (mean P<0.01 ) but DAO and LPS and IL-6 levels were significantly lower in Group SF than in Group C (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSF has a protective effect on gastrointestinal tract and can reduce inflammatory actions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; blood ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; adverse effects ; Child ; Digestive System ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology