This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of histamine on tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) secretion by purified human blood monocytes. TNF alpha was measured by radioimmunoassay. Histamine caused a dose-dependent inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF alpha production from human blood monocytes, averaging maximally 50% at 10(-5) M. Preincubation of mononuclear cells with an H2 antagonist (cimetidine), but not with an H1 antagonist (promethazine) prevented this inhibitory effect of histamine. In conclusion, histamine causes, in vitro, a depression of TNF alpha secretion by human monocytes through activation of H2 receptors.