Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Heterogeneity of human basophils and mast cells in response to muscle relaxants

  • Plenary Lecture
  • Symposium on Histamine and Antihistamine in Anaesthesia and Surgery (ii) Mechanisms of Histamine Release in Anaesthesia and Surgery
  • Published:
Agents and Actions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We investigated thein vitro effects of increasing concentrations (10−5–10−3 M) of four muscle relaxants (succinylcholine, d-tubocurarine, vecuronium and atracurium) on histamine release (HR) from human peripheral blood basophils and mast cells isolated from lung parenchyma (HLMC) and skin tissues (HSMC). Basophils released less than 5% of their histamine content when incubated with any one of the muscle relaxants. In contrast, mast cells showed a marked heterogeneity in their response. Succinylcholine did not induce HR from any type of mast cell, and only high concentrations of d-tubocurarine (10−3 M) caused HR from HSMC and HLMC. Vecuronium concentration-dependently induced HR from HLMC and HSMC. Atracurium concentration-dependently caused marked HR from HLMC and HSMC up to a maximum of 46.2±15.1% and 30.6±6.0%, respectively. From both HLMC and HSMC HR caused by atracurium and vecuronium was extremely rapid (t1/2<1 min). The releasing activity of atracurium and vecuronium on HLMC and HSMC was reduced, but not abolished, by lowering the temperature of the incubation buffer to 22°C and 4°C. These results confirm that there are functional differences between human basophils and mast cells and among mast cells isolated from different anatomical sites in response to the muscle relaxants tested.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R. S. J. Clarke,Hypersensitivity reactions to intravenous anaesthetic drugs, InRecent Advaces in Anaesthesia and Analgesia, vol. 14. (Ed. R.S. Atkinson and C.L. Hewer) pp 55–79, Churchill-Livingstone, Edinburgh 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  2. D. Vervloet, A. Arnaud, P. Vellieux, S. Kaplanski and J. Charpin,Anaphylactic reactions to muscle relaxants under general anesthesia. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.63, 16, 348–353 (1979).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. D. A. Moneret-Vautrin, J. L. Guéant, L. Kamel, M. C. Laxenaire, S. El Kholty and J. P. Nicolas,Anaphylaxis to muscle relaxants: cross-sensitivity studies by radioimmuno-assy compared to intradermal tests in 34 cases. J Allergy Clin. Immunol.82, 745–752 (1988).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. V. Casolaro, D. Galeone, A., Giacummo, A. Sanduzzi G. Mellilo and G. Marone,Human basophil/mast cell releasability. V. Functional comparisons of cells obtained from peripheral blood, lung parenchyma and from bronchoalveolar lavage in asthmatics. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.139, 1375–1382 (1989).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. V. Patella, V. Casolaro, L. Björck and G. Marone,Protein L: an Ig-binding protein that activates human basophils and mast cells. J. Immunol.145, 3054–3061 (1990).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. G. Marone, V. Casolaro, R. Paganelli and I. Quinti,IgE anti-IgG from atopic dermatitis induces mediator release from basophils and mast cells. J. Invest. Dermatol.93, 246–252 (1989).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. D. Vervloet, A. Arnaud, M. Senft, P. Dor, P. Bongrand, J. Charpin and M. Alzia,Leukocyte histamine release to suxamethonium in patients with adverse reactions to muscle relaxants. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.75, 338–342 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. N. G. Goudsouzian, E. T. Young, J. Moss and M. P. Liu,Histamine release during the administration of atracurium or vecuronium in children. Br. J. Anaesth.58, 1229–1233 (1986).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. P. K. Barnes, N. de Renzy-Martin, W. J. E. Thomas and J. Watkins,Plasma histamine levels following atracurium. Anaesthesia41, 821–824 (1986).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Second School of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    C. Stellato, A. de Paulis, G. de Crescenzo, F. Tatangelo, O. Rickler & G. Marone

Authors
  1. C. Stellato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. de Paulis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. de Crescenzo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Tatangelo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. O. Rickler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. G. Marone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stellato, C., de Paulis, A., de Crescenzo, G. et al. Heterogeneity of human basophils and mast cells in response to muscle relaxants. Agents and Actions 36 (Suppl 2), C195–C198 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01997331

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01997331

Keywords

Search

Navigation