Plasma Histamine Levels in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Paik, Jong Hyun; Lee, Mu Hyoung; Kim, Nack In; Haw, Choong Rim

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although there is evidence to support histamine involvement in atopic dermatitis, the role of histamine in pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and the development of pruritus have been discussed controversially.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to investigate the plasma histamine levels in patients with atopic dermatitis of different severity and to evaluate the correlation between plasma histamine levels and other parameters of atopy, such as, basophil counts, eosinophil counts, and total IgE levels.
METHODS
We measured plasma histamine levels, serum total IgE levels, peripheral basophil counts, and peripheral eosinophil counts in twenty patients with atopic dermatitis and in seventeen normal control subjects.
RESULTS
1. There was no significant difference in plasma histamine levels between patients with atopic dermatitis and normal control subjects. 2. A comparison of atopic dermatitis patients with increased plasma histamine levels and those with normal histamine levels revealed no difference regarding age, sex, and serum IgE levels; however, the group with increased plasma histamine levels was associated with other atopic disease, more commonly. 3. There were no correlation between the clinical severity of atopic dermatitis, seveirty of itching in patients with atopic dermatitis and the plasma histamine levels. 4. Plasma histamine levels in atopic dermatitis were correlated with basophil counts and eosinophil counts. However, there was no correlation between the plasma histamine levels and the serum total IgE levels.
CONCLUSION
There was no significant difference of plasma histamine levels between patients with atopic dermatitis and normal control subjects. However, further investigations for measurement of histamine level after stimulation with variety of different substance may lead to clarification of evidence for histamine release in atopic dermatitis.