Abstract
The present study was designed to clarify the mechanism of histamine release caused by levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, using rat peritoneal mast cells. Levofloxacin induced a concentration-dependent histamine secretion from 300 μg/ml without lactate dehydrogenase leakage, and the release was rapidly completed within 30 s. This action was dependent on temperature, energy, pH and intracellular Ca 2+, similarly to the effect of compound 48/80, a basic compound. Unlike that with the calcium ionophore A23187, histamine secretion due to levofloxacin or compound 48/80 was prevented by pretreatment with either pertussis toxin or benzalkonium chloride, a selective inhibitor of G proteins of G i subtypes. Moreover, the histamine release elicited by levofloxacin or compound 48/80 was suppressed by hydrolysis of sialic acid residues on the cell surface brought about by neuraminidase. These results demonstrate that the mechanism by which levofloxacin exerts histamine release may be closely linked to activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
