Histamine: A Mediator of Intestinal Disorders—A Review

Abstract

Within the gastrointestinal tract, histamine is present at relatively high concentrations, especially during inflammatory processes. Histamine is a biogenic amine with numerous effects on many cell types, mediated by the activation of its four different histamine receptors (H1–H4Rs). It is produced and released by immune cells as mast cells and basophils. Some cells such as dendritic cells or T cells can express histidine decarboxylase, an enzyme for histamine synthesis after stimulation. The same can be done by the human gut microbiota. The production of histamine by bacteria in the human gut influence the immune response, although the major source of histamine is food. The large spectrum of histamine effects on a number of cellular processes results in various gastrointestinal disorders including food allergy, histamine intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others. In this review, the protective or pathogenic effects of histamine on various gut disorders are discussed.

Microbiota profiling reveals alteration of gut microbial neurotransmitters in a mouse model of autism-associated 16p11.2 microduplication

“…Additionally, histamine is associated with various gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome ( Barbara et al, 2004 ) and inflammatory bowel diseases ( Dvornikova et al, 2023 ). Gut histamine can stimulates gastric acid secretion via H2R, induce abdominal discomfort through H4R activation ( De Palma et al, 2022 ), and enhance intestinal motility ( Mochizuki, 1953 ), leading to diarrhea ( Smolinska et al, 2022 ), a common clinical symptom in ASD.…”

Yeast extract improves growth in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a fishmeal-free diet and modulates the hepatic and distal intestine transcriptomic profile

“…In Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ), MFAP4 proteins are known to agglutinate and opsonize bacterial pathogens, which helps to prevent bacterial infections (88) . The histamine receptor 1, encoded by the hrh1 gene, is an effector of the action of histamine on phagocyte function in mammals and fish (89,90) . Overall, our results indicate that including yeast in the diet of rainbow trout could strengthen defense capacities of the gut, which is one of the main contact and entry points of pathogens and allergens in the body.…”

The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and cobalamin deficiency in patients with chronic urticaria

“…Evidence also suggests that the number of mast cells may be increased in the stomach and duodenum in patients with chronic urticaria independent of the occurrence of GI symptoms [ 19 ]. Histamine can play a crucial role in the occurrence of GI symptoms in patients with urticaria as its significant effects on the GI tract have been well described [ 20 ]. In a study by Guida et al plasma histamine concentrations were found to be higher in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients which may explain the presence of histamine-mediated symptoms including increase in stomach acid production [ 21 ].…”