Histaminemia after aspirin challenge in aspirin-sensitive asthmatics.

To determine the role of mast cells in aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction, venous histaminemia was measured in 17 aspirin-sensitive patients before and after administration of aspirin. Ventilatory disturbances were measured spirographically. Venous histaminemia was determined according to Lorenz. In 11 patients the mean increase of histaminemia was from 39.6 ng/ml to 107.0 ng/ml. In the remaining 6 patients no change in histaminemia was observed after the challenge. In patients exhibiting the increase of histaminemia, symptoms of hypersensitivity to aspirin, other than dyspnea, were not common and stronger. The authors discuss a possible relationship of the aspirin effect, disturbances in prostaglandin synthesis and histamine release.