Histamine is an endogenous short-acting biogenic amine synthesized from the amino acid histidine and is widely distributed throughout the body. Histamine is an important mediator of immediate-type-allergic reactions. Normally, there is a minimal amount of Histamine circulating in the human body. Elevations in plasma and tissue histamine levels have been reported during anaphylaxis and experimental systems investigating the allergic responses of the skin and airways. Because of its potent role in the immune response, histamine in the body is present in a very transitory state and can only be measured within minutes of release. The half-life of histamine in a biological system is four minutes before its conversion to n-methyl histamine. N-methyl histamine is a major product of histamine metabolism, is present in urine and has a longer half-life than that of histamine. This assay reacts equally to N-methyl histamine and histamine, making it an excellent choice for measuring histamine levels in urine.

Histamine is also in a class of neurotransmitters called “Small Molecule Neurotransmitter Substances”. This group includes molecules such as Serotonin, Epinephrine and Dopamine. Additionally, histamine plays a role in gastric acid secretion, assisting in the induction of acid production.

Manual  / MSDS