The Strong Histaminolytic Activity of Lymph and its Bearing on the Distribution of Histamine between Lymph and Plasma in Dogs

Abstract

Summary. In anaesthetised dogs the histamine‐destroying activity of lymph and plasma and the distribution of histamine between lymph and plasma under various conditions were determined with the following results. The lymph is very potent in destroying histamine. In vitro the histaminolytic activity of lymph is on the average > 30 times greater than of plasma. In vivo intralymphatically administered histamine is inactivated at a very high rate. Lymph normally does not contain histamine in detectable quantities. The histamine concentration of plasma can be raised to very high levels by histamine injections and by histamine liberators without the appearance of the slightest trace of excess histamine in the lymph.