Reason #1 for Your Symptoms: Receptor and cell type
Updated: Apr 21
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In this week’s blog we’re starting with an explanation of why histamine and mast cell mediated symptoms can be so varied from person to person.
There are different histamine receptors (locks) on different cells and tissue in the body. There are 4 types of these receptors (or 1 key, histamine, for 4 different locks).
Once histamine (key) has bound to a receptor (lock), it is both the receptor type and the cell type that determine which chemical mediators are released. Chemical mediators can be either inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, but it is these mediators that determine your symptoms.
H1 - associated with allergic symptoms and inflammation. It is common in epithelial tissue (skin, GI tract, lungs, uterus), and immune cells. The dilation of blood vessels and the constriction of bronchial tissue in the lungs are two of the effects when histamine binds to these receptors. Mucus secretion and blood clotting are included in H1 symptoms.
H2 - associated with gastric acid secretion, increased heart rate, dilation of blood vessels, and barrier tissue permeability. High levels of stomach acid and mucous production in airways are effects of binding to these receptors.
H3 - found in neurons in the brain and nervous system. Binding to these receptors is associated with neuro-inflammation and with nerve pain. H3 symptoms can also be correlated with memory, concentration, and sleep troubles.
H4 - found on immune cells including mast cells. Like H1 receptors, histamine binding to these sites is associated with allergy and inflammation. It is also associated with mast cell degranulation, meaning histamine can stimulate the release of more histamine! (1)
Wondering what some other reasons are?
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