Abstract

The products resulting from proteolytic degradation of human fibrinogen (FDP) were found to induce the release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells. Low molecular weight, dialysable peptides (FDP) showed the highest dose dependent, histamine releasing activity. Histamine release induced by FDP was effectively inhibited by the gold compound auranofin at a concentration of 10(-5)-10(-7) mol/l and also by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs BW 755c, timegadine, medosan, naproxen, and aspirin at the higher concentration range of 10(-4)-10(-6) mol/l. It is concluded that the release of histamine from mast cells may be modulated to some extent by anti-inflammatory drugs, especially auranofin, BW 755c and timegadine, a functional property which may be beneficial in the management of joint disease.