Effects of histamine and diamine oxidase activities on pregnancy: a critical review.

150 150

Effects of histamine and diamine oxidase activities on pregnancy: a critical review.

Maintz L1, Schwarzer V, Bieber T, van der Ven K, Novak N.

1 Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany.

Hum Reprod Update. 2008 Sep-Oct;14(5):485-95.

PMID: 18499706
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmn014

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Histamine has been assumed to contribute to embryo-uterine interactions due to its vasoactive, differentiation and growth-promoting properties. However, its exact functions in pregnancy are unclear. The histamine-degrading enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) is produced in high amounts by the placenta and has been supposed to act as a metabolic barrier to prevent excessive entry of bioactive histamine from the placenta into the maternal or fetal circulation.

METHODS:

The literature available on PubMed published in English between 1910 and 2008 has been searched using the isolated and combined key words histamine, diamine oxidase, pregnancy, placenta, endometrium, miscarriage, implantation, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, diabetes and embryonic histamine-releasing factor (EHRF).

RESULTS:

High expression of the histamine-producing enzyme histidine decarboxylase in the placenta, histamine receptors at the feto-maternal interface and the existence of an EHRF suggest a physiological role of histamine during gestation. The balance between histamine and DAO seems to be crucial for an uncomplicated course of pregnancy. Reduced DAO activities have been found in multiple heterogeneous complications of pregnancy such as diabetes, threatened and missed abortion and trophoblastic disorders. Whether women with histamine intolerance suffer from more complicated pregnancies and higher abortion rates due to impaired DAO activities and if low DAO levels or genetic modifications in the DAO gene might therefore represent a prognostic factor for a higher risk of abortion, has not been investigated yet.

CONCLUSIONS:

Low activities of the histamine-degrading enzyme DAO might indicate high-risk pregnancies, although high intra- and interindividual variations limit its value as a screening tool.

  • 0

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy preferences

When you visit our website, it can store information via its web browser specific services, usually in the form of cookies. Here you can change your privacy preferences. It should be noted that the blocking of some types of cookies may affect your experience on our web site and the services we can offer you. You can see our cookies policy here.

Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking code.
Click to enable/disable Google Fonts.
Click to enable/disable Google Maps.
Click to enable/disable video embeds.
Our website uses cookies of third-party services. You can define privacy preferences and/or accept our use of cookies. If you continue browsing you are deemed to have accepted our privacy and cookie policy.