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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
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.
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
P. K. Barnes, N. de Renzy-Martin, W. J. E. Thomas and J. Watkins,Plasma histamine levels following atracurium. Anaesthesia41, 821–824 (1986).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01997331