Mast cells and histamine responses of the ureter, ultrastructural features of cell-to-cell associations and functional implications

Abstract

In this study of normal adult human and ovine ureters, a characteristic distribution of a large population of typical mast cells was described by light and electron microscopy. Pharmacological studies were used to ascribe a functional role for these cells in normal and pathological states. In the structural investigations typical mast cells with their cytoplasm packed with characteristic electron dense granules were found in close vicinity to smooth muscle cells. A close association between mast cells and a fibroblast like La-cell and non myelinated nerve fibers was noted. The prevalence of mast cells was higher in human ureters. Human and sheep ureteral ring preparations exhibited spontaneous rhythmical contractions in vitro. Addition of histamine (10(-6)-10(-5) M) induced an increase in the frequency of contractions and enhanced the basal tone particularly in human samples. It is likely that histamine under pathological conditions such as renal colic and inflammatory reactions is released from mast cells within the ureter and induces a state of forceful contractions and pain fibre stimulation.

The Effect of Urothelial Damage on Ureteric Motility An Ultrastructural and Functional Study

“…These changes included increased frequency, reduced amplitude and usually elevated baseline tone. Similar changes were observed after the addition of histamine (Ugaily-Thulesius et al, 1987, 1988. The addition of the H-1 blocker mepyramine partly reversed the urine-induced changes in motility as seen in Figure 11.…”

“…Although it is known that a hyperosmolar environmentper se has profound effects on the contractility of smooth muscle (Kent et al, 1983), our results were difficult to reconcile with purely physicochem-Accepted for publication 30 July 1987 ical parameters. Our recent ultrastructural findings, however, offer an attractive alternative explanation: in sheep, but particularly in normal human ureters, there are a large number of mast cells-a finding which had not been described before (Ugaily-Thulesius et al, 1987, 1988. Since it is known that acidic pH and hyperosmolarity are stimuli for histamine release (Findlay et al, 1981), this endogenous substance, which is known to be a powerful spasmogen (Bertaccini et al, 1983), might be implicated in the motility changes.…”

Ultrastructural study of the mucosal layer of the adult albino rat ureter

“…They also observed that the prevalence of mast cells was higher in human ureters than in ovine ureters [41]. They also observed that the prevalence of mast cells was higher in human ureters than in ovine ureters [41].…”

Comparison of Effect of Morphine-Chlorpheniramine Combined Versus Morphine Alone in Alleviating Acute Renal Colic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trail

“…Ugaily-Thulesius et al showed that extra histamine is related to high frequency of contractions in utterer. Furthermore, they showed that under pathological conditions such as renal colic mast cells of ureters releases histamine, which lead to contraction and consequent pain (13). In another study they showed that urothelial damage in ureteral stone can penetrate subepithelially and make degranulation of mast cells mediators that includes histamines (14).…”