Diamine Oxidase in Blood Plasma in Some Vertebrates and Anodonta cygnea before and after Injection of Heparin

Abstract

After intravenous injection of heparin (in aniounts related to the body‐weight) thc blood plasma diamine oxidase(DAO‐) activity increased transiently in all vertebrates studied (cod, frog, fowl, mouse, white rat, golden hamster, guinea‐pig, rabbit, cat, dog, goat, sheep and cow). The DAO‐response to heparin varied strongly between the species. Often with a bi‐phasic ascent, it showed a maximum (within a few minutes to about one hour) and then decreased, often in a “monoexponential” fashion, in the course of the next few hours. In anodons no significant DAO‐activity was found.—The biological significance of the heparin effect upon DAO is discussed with special reference to the coexistence of heparin and histamine in the mast cells.

Response of Plasma Histaminase Activity to Small Doses of Heparin in Normal Subjects and Patients with Hyperlipoproteinemia

“…The heparin-induced rise in plasma histaminase (diamine oxidase) activity has been observed in man (5,6), guinea pig (22,23), rabbit (23), rat (23), and other vertebrate species (24). There is evidence that this rise is due to release of enzyme from liver in guinea pig (22) and intestine in rat (25).…”

Diamine oxidase in the hen

“…The observed high hepatic diamine oxidase is similar in this respect to the guinea-pig enzymic pattern [21]. However, considerable differences in the diamine oxidase activity between the hen and the other animal species have also been noticed.…”

Immune Reactions to <i>Nippostrongylus brasiliensis</i> in the Rat

“…The fact that heparin levels and histaminase activity are both higher in 'late' than in 'early' anaphylaxis suggests that heparin may be the mediator of histaminaseliberation in rats as observed in guinea pigs [3]. This assumption is further supported by recent observations that heparin has a histaminase liberating effect also in rats [7,9]. The high heparin level is probably responsible for the prolongation of coagulation time [8] in 'late' systemic anaphylaxis.…”