BLOOD HISTAMINE LEVELS IN EXPERIMENTAL BURNS

Abstract

An increase in blood histamine was observed in 13 of 14 animals (dogs) burned over 50-60% of their body surface and dressed with sterile vaseline. Daily injns. of penicillin in 5 of the animals had no effect on the rising blood histamine values. The blood histamine level rose to 2.5 times the avg. normal figure within 24-48 hrs. after the burn, with a maximum approx. 5 times the normal figure about the 4th day. After the 6th-7th day, the level decreased gradually toward the normal in the succeeding days. Results show no positive evidence that the elevated blood histamine levels stimulate excessive gastric acidity or play a role in the formation of Curling''s ulcer. The normal or subnormal gastric acidity titrations suggest that the blood histamine was either not elevated enough to produce hyperacidity or it was in an inactive form. Since penicillin treated animals did not develop ulceration in spite of elevated blood histamine values, there is further indication that blood histamine does not enter into the pathogenesis of Curling''s ulcer.