Circadian profiling reveals higher histamine plasma levels and lower diamine oxidase serum activities in 24% of patients with suspected histamine intolerance compared to food allergy and controls
Allergy. 2018 Apr;73(4):949-957. doi: 10.1111/all.13361. Epub 2017 Dec 15.
Author information
- 1
- Department of Medicine 1, Hector Center for Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
- 2
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Histamine intolerance is thought to trigger manifold clinical symptoms after ingesting histamine-rich food due to reduced activity of diamine oxidase (DAO). No study has hitherto systematically assessed daily fluctuations of histamine levels and DAO activities in symptomatic patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of histamine intolerance, to therefore establish day profiles of histamine levels and DAO activities, and to compare the results between patients with suspected histamine intolerance, food allergy and healthy controls.
METHODS:
We determined day profiles of histamine plasma levels and DAO serum activities in 33 patients with suspected histamine intolerance, in 21 patients with proven food allergy and in 10 healthy control patients. Clinical symptoms, food intolerances and further clinical and laboratory chemical parameters were evaluated.
RESULTS:
Twenty-four percent (8 of 33) suspected histamine-intolerant patients showed elevated histamine levels during the day. That might be caused by constantly and significantly reduced DAO activities in these patients compared to food-allergic and control patients. The remaining 25 patients presented normal histamine levels and DAO activities, but an increased prevalence of multiple food intolerances compared to the other subgroup of suspected histamine-intolerants. There was no correlation between subjective complaints and serological histamine parameters in patients with suspected histamine intolerance.
CONCLUSIONS:
We determined by daily profiling that decreased DAO activities correlated with elevated histamine levels in a subgroup of suspected histamine-intolerants. This finding discriminates these patients from food intolerant individuals with similar clinical symptoms and strongly suggests the presence of histamine intolerance.
© 2017 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
KEYWORDS:
day profile; diamine oxidase activities; food allergy; histamine intolerance; histamine levels
- PMID:
- 29154390
- PMCID:
- PMC5947167
- DOI:
- 10.1111/all.13361
Low serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity levels in patients with migraine
Low serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity levels in patients with migraine.
J Physiol Biochem. 2018 Feb;74(1):93-99. doi: 10.1007/s13105-017-0571-3. Epub 2017 Jun 17.
Author information
- 1
- Department of Neurology, Hospital General de Catalunya, C/ Pere i Pons 1, 08915, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain.
- 2
- Department of Basic Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, C/ Pere i Pons 1, 08915, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain.
- 3
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, XaRTA, INSA, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Avinguda Prat de la Riba 171, 08921, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain.
- 4
- Department of Nutrition, Instituto Clínico del Déficit de DAO (ICDDAO), C/ Pere i Pons 1, 08195, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain.
- 5
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, XaRTA, INSA, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Avinguda Prat de la Riba 171, 08921, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain. mcvidal@ub.edu.
Abstract
Histamine intolerance is a disorder in the homeostasis of histamine due to a reduced intestinal degradation of this amine, mainly caused by a deficiency in the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO). Among the several multi-faced symptoms associated with histamine intolerance, headache is one of the most recognized and disabling consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of DAO deficiency in patients with a confirmed migraine diagnosis according to the current International Headache Society (IHS) and in non-migraine subjects. DAO activity was assessed in a total of 198 volunteers recruited at the Headache Unit of the Hospital General de Catalunya, 137 in the migraine group and 61 as a control group. DAO enzyme activity in blood samples was determined by ELISA test. Values below 80 HDU/ml (Histamine Degrading Unit/ml) were considered as DAO deficient. Mean value of DAO activity from migraine population (64.5 ± 33.5 HDU/ml) was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) than that obtained from healthy volunteers (91.9 ± 44.3 HDU/ml). DAO deficiency was more prevalent in migraine patients than in the control group. A high incidence rate of DAO deficiency (87%) was observed in the group of patients with migraine. On the other hand, 44% of non-migranous subjects had levels of DAO activity lower than 80 HDU/ml. Despite the multifactorial aetiology of migraine, these results seem to indicate that this enzymatic deficit could be related to the onset of migraine.
KEYWORDS:
Diamine oxidase (DAO); Headache; Histamine; Histamine intolerance; Migraine
- PMID:
- 28624934
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s13105-017-0571-3
Effect of dietary fatty acid and micronutrient intake/energy ratio on serum diamine oxidase activity in healthy women
Serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity varies to a greater extent in women than in men. DAO activity during the luteal phase was higher than that during the follicular phase in healthy women. Recent reports have indicated that duodenal lipid infusion increased DAO activity in the intestinal lymph in rats.
Concomitant Prevalence of Low Serum Diamine Oxidase Activity and Carbohydrate Malabsorption
The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the concomitant prevalence rates for lactose malabsorption (LM), fructose malabsorption (FM), and histamine intolerance (HI) in patients with so far unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. A total of 439 outpatients, who presented unclear abdominal discomfort, underwent lactose (50 g) and fructose (25 g) hydrogen (H2) breath tests. Additionally, serum diamine oxidase (DAO) measurements were performed.
Serum diamine oxidase activity in patients with histamine intolerance
Intolerance to various foods, excluding bona fide coeliac disease and lactose intolerance, represents a growing cause of patient visits to allergy clinics.
Histamine intolerance is a long-known, multifaceted clinical condition triggered by histamine-rich foods and alcohol and/or by drugs that liberate histamine or block diamine oxidase (DAO), the main enzyme involved in the metabolism of ingested histamine. Histamine limitation diets impose complex, non-standardized restrictions that may severely impact the quality of life of patients.
Histamine, histamine intoxication and intolerance
Excessive accumulation of histamine in the body leads to miscellaneous symptoms mediated by its bond to corresponding receptors (H1-H4). Increased concentration of histamine in blood can occur in healthy individuals after ingestion of foods with high contents of histamine, leading to histamine intoxication.
Nutrición y dietética clínica 3rd Edition
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Intreview on TV Girona to Nutritionist Adriana Duelo, specialist in DAO Deficiency
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Intreview on TV Girona to Nutritionist Adriana Duelo, specialist in DAO Deficiency.
Effect of the menstrual cycle on serum diamine oxidase levels in healthy women
Serum diamine oxidase (DAO) level is employed as a useful marker of intestinal mucosal integrity. As reported previously, the range of serum DAO levels in women is wider than that in men. We hypothesized that the menstrual cycle may affect DAO levels.