Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
It has been known for more than one hundred years that an intravenous injection of histamine causes a fall in the blood pressure. [30] The underlying mechanism concerns both vascular hyperpermeability and vasodilation. Histamine binding to endothelial cells causes them to contract, thus increasing vascular leak.
In mammalian organs, large amounts of PGD 2 are found only in the brain and in mast cells. It is critical to development of allergic diseases such as asthma. Research carried out in 1989 [3] found PGD 2 is the primary mediator of vasodilation (the "niacin flush") after ingestion of niacin (nicotinic acid).
The histamine receptors are a class of G protein–coupled receptors which bind histamine as their primary endogenous ligand. [1] [2] Histamine receptors are proteins that bind with histamine, a neurotransmitter involved in various physiological processes. There are four main types: H1, H2, H3, and H4.
Histamine H 1 receptors are activated by endogenous histamine, which is released by neurons that have their cell bodies in the tuberomammillary nucleus of the hypothalamus. The histaminergic neurons of the tuberomammillary nucleus become active during the 'wake' cycle, firing at approximately 2 Hz; during slow wave sleep , this firing rate ...
The blood–brain barrier is formed by special tight junctions between endothelial cells lining brain blood vessels. Blood vessels of all tissues contain this monolayer of endothelial cells, however only brain endothelial cells have tight junctions preventing passive diffusion of most substances into the brain tissue. [1]
A-fragments form distinct structural domains of approximately 76 amino acids, coded for by a single exon within the complement protein gene. The C3a, C4a and C5a components are referred to as anaphylatoxins: [4] [5] they cause smooth muscle contraction, vasodilation, histamine release from mast cells, and enhanced vascular permeability. [5]
The histamine receptor H 2 belongs to the rhodopsin-like family of G protein-coupled receptors. It is an integral membrane protein and stimulates gastric acid secretion. It also regulates gastrointestinal motility and intestinal secretion and is thought to be involved in regulating cell growth and differentiation. [ 6 ]
Once released, the histamine can react with local or widespread tissues through histamine receptors. [citation needed] Histamine, acting on H 1-receptors, produces pruritus, vasodilation, hypotension, flushing, headache, bradycardia, bronchoconstriction, increase in vascular permeability and potentiation of pain. [2]