Substances Released from the Skin Following Thermal Injury. I. Histamine and Proteins 1

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Abstract
A method was developed for obtaining diffusates from excised dog skin after in vitro exposure to burning (scalding). In principle, split thicknesses of skin were secured about one end of glass cylinders with the cut surface in continuity with the inside of the cylinder. The latter contained isotonic solutions. Exposure to heat caused a liberation of histamine or histamine-like substance into the diffusates. The amount of histamine liberated depended upon the time and the temperature to which the excised skin was exposed to the injury. The greatest amount of histamine was released after exposure to 65[degree]C and 75[degree]C for 20 minutes. The lowest temperature consistently causing histamine release was 55[degree]C for 2 minutes. The release of protein was increased with the time and temperature of burning. Determination of the hydroxyproline content and the electrophoretic behavior of such preparations indicated that the major portion of the proteins released, particularly at high temperatures and for prolonged periods, resembled gelatin. In addition, smaller amounts of other proteins containing appreciable amounts of hexose and "sialic acid" were released.