Studies of the Mechanisms of Resistance to Stress

摘要

The roles of histamine and heparin in the tissues are fundamental in the maintenance of the physiologic state. Heparin binds relatively large amounts of tissue histamine (mast cells) and in this state can serve as a readily available substance to bind with other agents for which it has a stronger affinity (e.g., histamine releasers). The toxicity of histamine can vary according to the amount of histamine released as well as to the conditions of release. It has been shown in this study that histamine is markedly more toxic in the presence of other tissue amines than when alone. Likewise, the toxicity of a histamine releaser is related to the amount of heparin available to bind with it. Therefore, the response of an organism or its tissues to a given amount of a stress stimuli is related to numerous factors and the response can be lacking (tolerance) or exaggerated (hypersensitivity). Specific therapy directed to any one component of the stress-producing complex may be sufficient to alleviate the stress situation. Thus many agents, antihistaminics, adrenocortical hormones, heparin, etc., may serve as anti-stress substances - each acting in its own specific capacity. It is therefore considered important to explore the nature of their respective activities. In this way, the therapeutic values of these drugs can be exploited more specifically and therefore, more effectively. (Author)