Histamine-induced Mucociliary Dysfunction and Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

Y . Histamine-induced mucociliary dysfunction and otitis media with effusion. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) I991 ; Suppl.Histamine, which has been found in middle ear effusions, is a potent pharmacological mediator released at an early stage of allergic reactions or general inflammatory process, increasing permeability of small blood vessels. Histamine might be involved in the origin and chronicity of middle ear effusions. In this study we studied the effect of histamine on the mucociliary function. First we examined the effect of histamine and its HI and H, blockers on the ciliary activity in the middle ear.M of histamine deteriorated ciliary activity; however, at lower concentrations ciliostimulatory effects were demonstrated for histamine (between M and M). Such ciliostimulatory effects were not affected by diphenhydramine (H,-blocker) but were reduced by cimetidine (H,-blocker). Thus histamine stimulates ciliary activity by combining with H,-receptor. Intratympanic injection of M of histamine induced accumulation of middle ear effusions (MEEs). The volume of MEEs was largest at 1 day postinjection when its mucociliary clearance time was longest. Then the mucociliary clearance time became shorter, but it was still significantly longer than that of the control animal. Ciliary activity in the tubotympanum showed no recovery through the observation period. On the other hand, intratympanic injection of M of histamine produced MEEs at 1 and 3 days postinjection when the mucociliary clearance time was longer than that of the control group. At 8 days, when most ears did not demonstrate MEEs, the mucociliary clearance time and ciliary activity in the Eustachian tube and tympanic orifice reached the level of the control group. Our present study demonstrates that histamine can induce mucociliary dysfunction of the tubotympanum resulting in middle ear effusions, and that cilia, especially those present in the tube and the tympanic orifice, have a significant role in eliminating middle ear effusions.

The Role of Inflammatory Mediators in the Pathogenesis of Otitis Media and Sequelae

“…Histamine is released by mast cells present in the middle ear upon activation by either complement or binding of antigen to IgE antibodies which stud the exterior surface of mast cells (120-122). Through its vasodilatory effects, histamine can cause mucociliary and eustachian tube dysfunction (123-126). Histamine levels and mast cell numbers were higher in adenoids of children with serous OM than in children with normal ears, suggesting a possible mechanism of eustachian tube obstruction secondary to histamine released from the adenoids (127, 128).…”

Histamine Stimulates Ciliary Beat Frequency via the H2 Receptor in the ProtochordateBotryllus schlosseri

“…In conclusion, in B. schlosseri , the histamine H2 receptor has a central role in the local regulation of ciliary activity for both filtration and progression of the alimentary cord. In the mammalian middle ear, which is a developmental derivation of the pharynx, the ciliary beat regulation for the clearance of exudates from pathological inflammation is stimulated by histamine binding exclusively to H2 receptors (Esaki et al., ). This aspect is particularly interesting from a phylogenetic perspective because mucociliary transport mechanisms seem to have been conserved in the pharynx during the evolution of chordates when the divergence from a common ancestor with echinoderms occurred.…”

A New Rat Model of Otitis Media Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae : Conditions and Application in Immunization Protocols

“…This histamine may be generated by degranulation of mast cells in local mucoperiosteum (1), e.g., as an inflammatory response triggered by viral infections (9); in patients with allergic conditions, there is an association between otitis media and histamine release from peripheral blood basophils (9). In vitro, histamine can regulate ciliary activity of eustachian tube and middle ear mucosa (7). In guinea pigs, intratympanic injection of histamine, with a similar dose as used in this study, induces the accumulation of middle ear effusion (7).…”

“…We developed a new animal model for Pn-induced otitis media in the rat. In this animal, we have employed intratympanic administration of histamine to impair ciliary activity in the tubotympanum and to induce mucosal swelling; this protocol prolongs the mucociliary clearance time from the tympanic cavity (7). The rationale for this protocol was that with malfunctioning of the mucociliary physiology of the eustachian tube there would be a decreased barrier for pneumococci to enter the tympanic cavity.…”