Plasma histamine elevation in a large cohort of sickle cell disease patients

Br J Haematol. 2019 Jul;186(1):125-129. doi: 10.1111/bjh.15900. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Abstract

The role of mast cells has been questioned in sickle cell disease (SCD). We performed a prospective study evaluating plasma histamine and tryptase levels in a cohort of paediatric and adult patients, in steady state (n = 132) and during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) (n = 121). Histamine level was elevated in 18% of patients in steady state and in 61% during VOC. Median histamine level was significantly higher during VOC than in steady state (24·1 [7·0-45·0] vs 9·6 [6·2-14·4] nmol/l, P < 0·0001). Tryptase level was slightly increased during VOC without reaching pathological values. These results suggest a role of mast cell activation in SCD pathophysiology.

Keywords: histamine; mast cell activation; sickle cell disease; tryptase; vaso-occlusive crisis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / blood*
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / pathology
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Histamine / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mast Cells / metabolism
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tryptases / blood
  • Vascular Diseases / blood
  • Vascular Diseases / etiology

Substances

  • Histamine
  • Tryptases