Histamine-releasing activity and bronchoconstricting effects of sisal

Abstract

Nicholls, P. J., Evans, E., Valić, F., and Žuškin, E. (1973).British Journal of Industrial Medicine,30, 142-145. Histamine-releasing activity and bronchoconstricting effects of sisal. Extracts of dry and oiled sisal released histamine from pig and human but not from rat lung tissue. A suspension in Tyrode solution of the oil used for softening the sisal fibres had a pH of 8·1 and also released histamine from pig and human lung. The releasing activity was abolished when the pH of this suspension was adjusted to pH 7·4. As all the sisal extracts were adjusted to pH 7·4 for incubation with lung tissue, the histamine-releasing activity of sisal in vitro is unrelated to the presence of the oil. Significant (P < 0·01) mean reductions over the work shift of ventilatory capacity (PEF and FEV1·0) were recorded in all the workers exposed to airborne sisal dust. These reductions were greater in combers than in drawers and spinners. Sisal collected from combing machines possessed more histamine-releasing activity than material from drawing and spinning machines. These results indicate that histamine release by sisal may be the cause of acute ventilatory capacity changes in sisal exposure.

Lung function in sisal ropemakers.

“…Nicholls et al (1973) did suggest, however, that, over a working shift, histamine released by sisal dust and fibre-softener might cause acute changes in ventilatory capacity.…”

“…McKerrow et al (1965) showed that this decrease was related to the dust concentration. Nicholls et al (1973) showed that sisal dust and the oil used to soften the fibres both caused histamine release. They postulated that this was the cause Received for publication 1 June 1978 Accepted for publication 18 September 1978 of the acute changes in ventilatory capacity over the working shift.…”

Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms Among Sisal Processors in Tanzania

“…In a small Croatian study elevated serum IgE levels were reported in only one female sisal textile worker [21]. Nicholls et al [28], showed that sisal extract has histaminereleasing properties on human lung tissues. In this experimental study, sisal collected from the combing machines showed more histamine-releasing properties than sisal collected from the spinning section.…”

“…Mustafa et al [27] (Tanzania) Baker et al [25] (South Africa) Thomas et al [22] (Ireland) Zuskin et al [21] (Croatia) Total IgE a 10% exposed 2.9% controls Nicholls et al . [28] (Yugoslavia) Table 3 summarizes the studies on immunological health effects of sisal. Skin reactions were reported among 105 male sisal factory workers in Kenya in 1955 [23].…”

“…In our study, allergic sensitization was measured by skin prick tests and inflammatory mediators such as histamine. Experimental studies have shown that sisal extract has an ability to release histamine in human lung tissues [28]. Therefore, in addition to possible non specific irritation in the airways, exposure to sisal dust can be associated with allergic inflammatory responses.…”