What is histamines? Give example
Answers
Histamine, biologically active substance found in a great variety of living organisms. It is distributed widely, albeit unevenly, throughout the animal kingdom and is present in many plants and bacteria and in insect venom. Histamine is chemically classified as an amine, an organic molecule based on the structure of ammonia (NH3). It is formed by the decarboxylation (the removal of a carboxyl group) of the amino acid histidine.In humans histamine is found in nearly all tissues of the body, where it is stored primarily in the granules of tissue mast cells.
Some points on histamine are as follows:-
1. Function of histamine is to increase blood circulation.
2. It is a derivative of amino acid actually.
3. It is known as vasodilator as it plays important role in dilation of the blood vessels.
4. In the blood capillaries it increases permeability as well.
5. In case any allergic substance comes in our body then first there will be secretion of histamine along with WBC and the it causes swelling in that ares where allergic substance is present. That part where swelling is done is called as exudate.
6. Exudate is very painful and red in colour more specifically they are known as inflammation.
7. Loratadine is the best example of this which is used for the purpose of traeting allergies.