Following superior mesenteric artery occlusion and revascularization in dogs all animals died in a circulatory collapse state. However, pretreatment by aminoguanidine, the strong and specific inhibitor of diamine oxidase, accelerated the circulatory break-down significantly and increased the venous plasma histamine concentrattions up to levels which also in normal dogs are effective in the circulatory system. Furthermore, the haematocrit increased significantly more in the aminoguanidine-treated animals than in the dogs treated by saline. No changes in plasma diamine oxidase activity were observed in saline-treated animals during intestinal ischemia and following revascularization. In aminoguanidine-treated animals no enzymic activity could be measured. The results were interpreted by a protective role of intestinal diamine oxidase in intestinal ischemia. Enhancement of the enzymic activity in patients, for instance by heparin, may be helpful in mesenteric infarction disease.