Effect of histamine on microvasculature of isolated dog gracilis muscle.

Isogravimetric capillary pressure (Pci), capillary filtration coefficient (CFC), and plasma protein concentration were measured before and during adminisistration of histamine in an isolated, independently perfused canine gracilis muscle. Histamine produced an average decrease in Pci of 14.1 mmHg, an increase in CFC of 36-fold, and an increased rate of plasma protein escape of at least 24-fold. These results suggest that histamine reduces the reflection coefficient for protein at the capillary wall and are consistent with predictions of the theory of restricted diffusion assuming that 1-2.5% of available pores increase in radious from 40 to 240 A.