Parallel inhibition of spontaneous and antigen-induced platelet histamine release

Abstract
Small amounts of histamine and serotonin are released spontaneously in vitro from blood cells of normal rabbits. Similar to release induced by antigen-antibody reaction, spontaneous release is calcium dependent but occurs even in the presence of a high concentration of heparin. Spontaneous release is inhibited by tosylarginine and tosylarginine methyl ester, agents which also inhibit antigen-induced release. Benzoylarginine, benzoylarginine methyl ester, lysine ethyl ester, and arginine have little effect on either spontaneous or antigen-induced release. A heat-stable factor in plasma can effect platelet amine release. The results suggest that factors involved early in the coagulation mechanism may be responsible for platelet amine release under these conditions.