Some aspects of a non-linear effect of zinc ions on the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells.

Addition of zinc-chloride or zinc-orotate to the lavage medium successfully influences the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. The effect of these zinc compounds is not doses-linear. 20 and 30 mg/l ZnCl2 cause a rather strong, 0.5, 5 and 10 mg/l ZnCl2 a weak depression in the release of histamine. An increase in the histamine release is caused by 40 mg/l ZnCl2. A similar, likewise non-doses-linear effect, can be observed with zinc-orotate. Concentrations of 10 and 30 mg/l zinc-orotate cause a decrease of the release; 0.05, 0.1, 1 and 60 mg/l have only minimal effects; an addition of 90 mg/l leads to an increase in the histamine release. Related to the Zn2+ ion the effect of zinc-chloride and zinc-orotate is not equivalent.