HISTAMINE STIMULATES PROLACTIN RELEASE IN NORMAL MEN

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Abstract
Histamine stimulates prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) release in the experimental animal. To evaluate the possible effect of histamine on these hormones in man, 9 normal volunteers underwent an i.v. histamine infusion (200 .mu.g in 15 min). Five of them also underwent an i.v. histidine infusion (200 .mu.g). Histamine induced a significant PRL release in 7 subjects, the maximum level reached being 36.2 .+-. 12.09 ng/ml, while GH levels were not affected. Histidine was ineffective on both PRL and GH levels. Histamine, administered peripherally, does not cross the blood brain barrier. This fact suggests that, in man, histamine stimulates PRL release by acting directly on the pituitary. Since stressful situations may elicit both PRL and GH release, the fact that the latter was not affected by histamine, suggests that a mere stress-effect is not responsible for the PRL release observed in the subjects.