Histamine in diabetes: Is it time to reconsider?

Pharmacol Res. 2016 Sep:111:316-324. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.06.021. Epub 2016 Jun 22.

Abstract

The first studies of histamine and diabetes date back to the 1950s. Since that time the involvement of histamine in diabetes was related to its well known vasoactive properties and permeability leakage effects. In particular, the first evidence for a correlation between histamine and diabetes arose in 1989 when an increase in plasma and leucocyte histamine content was observed. Limited independent evidence followed in the subsequent two decades, focusing on both histamine glyceamic control and macro- and microvascular complications of diabetes. However, recent observations have sparked the question whether it is time to reconsider the functional contribution of histamine in diabetes. We reveal an interesting upsurge in the field which provides scope for new insights into the role of histamine in diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes; Histamine; Histamine receptor; Nephropathy; Neuropathy; Retinopathy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Complications / blood
  • Diabetes Complications / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Complications / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Complications / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / physiopathology
  • Histamine / metabolism*
  • Histamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Histamine / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Histamine Antagonists
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Receptors, Histamine
  • Histamine