Serum levels of histamine and diamine oxidase in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, mostly affecting young adults. Diamine oxidase is an enzyme essential for histamine production. Histamine which is produced mostly by mast cells can have effects on different aspects of immune system via its different histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R and H4R). The crucial role of diamine oxidase and histamine in immune balance has been documented in different studies and experiments both on MS patients and on experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this regard, we aimed to measure the level of histamine and diamine oxidase in the serum of MS patients.

METHODS: A total number of 50 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and 41 age and sex matched controls were enrolled in this study. Assessments of serum levels of histamine and diamine oxidase enzyme were performed using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS: The serum levels of histamine and diamine oxidase in RRMS patients were lower than healthy controls ( P -value = 0.00, for both).

CONCLUSION: Our research team found significant low levels of histamine and diamine oxidase in RRMS patients; however the pathogenesis of this issue was unclear.