Possible Role of Histamine in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Abstract
Basophilocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) responded to leukocyte nuclei from normal persons with histamine release; a similar histamine release induced by the nuclear components RNA and DNA was demonstrated previously. A role of histamine in RA is also supported by the findings of clinical improvement during treatment with H1 and H2 antihistamines [cimetidine, mepyramine] in 6 of 12 patients with RA in active phase, whereas 4 showed definite deterioration.