AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 246, Issue 1 69-H73, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society
Effect of histamine and propranolol on extravascular lung water
J. S. Schwartz, R. G. Konopka and R. G. Spragg
The ability of an intravenous infusion of 21 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1
histamine diphosphate to cause pulmonary edema was studied in dogs in which
beta-blockade either was or was not in effect, since current evidence
suggests that beta-blockade can prevent catecholamines from antagonizing
the vascular permeability effect of histamine in the systemic circulation.
Mixed venous histamine levels ranging from 140 to 580 ng/ml were achieved;
norepinephrine and epinephrine levels increased significantly, although in
animals receiving propranolol, heart rate remained depressed. Neither lung
wet weight-to dry weight ratio nor extravascular lung water increased in
animals receiving histamine or histamine and propranolol. We conclude that
the inability of histamine to produce substantial pulmonary edema cannot be
explained on the basis of catecholamine stimulation of beta-adrenergic
receptors within the lung.
