Effects of Nerve Stimulation and Drugs on the Release of Histamine and Norepinephrine from the Isolated Heart

Abstract

Compound 48/80 [p-methoxy-phenethyl methylamine formaldehyde product] and polymyxin B elicited prompt and sharp increases in histamine release from the isolated guinea pig heart and had no effect on norepinephrine release. Dextran decreased histamine output without affecting norepinephrine release. Bradykinin increased both histamine and norepinephrine release; the histamine release increased only after a latent period. Stimulation of both left and right stellate ganglia increased norepinephrine release, but only right ganglion stimulation increased histamine release, after a latency. Stimulation of the right but not the left vagus nerve decreased histamine output 1st, then increased it moderately; the peak came later than for norepinephrine release. Histamine release following nerve stimulation and bradykinin was apparently secondary to norepinephrine release. Isoniazid decreased the release of both histamine and norepinephrine. Aminoguanidine increased histamine output but decreased norepinephrine release.