THE EFFECT OF NALOXONE ON BASOPHIL HISTAMINE-RELEASE FROM DIALYZED PATIENTS

Objective and Design: Naloxone had been shown to be effective in relie ving pruritus of dialyzed patients. In order to determine the mechanis m by which this is accomplished, we studied its effect on histamine re lease from white blood cells taken fro, this group. Subjects: We compa red 12 dialyzed patients (before and after dialysis) and 12 healthy co ntrols. Methods: The effect of naloxone (5 x 10(-3) M) on histamine re lease from the subjects' white blood cells was measured following anti -IgE + IL3, and TPA administration. Results: The white blood cells of dialyzed patients had a high degree of histamine release compared to t he healthy controls. Neither dialysis nor the patient's plasma affecte d this release, Naloxone markedly inhibited histamine release from whi te blood cells when stimulated with anti-IgE + IL3 or with TPA. Conclu sions: We concluded that naloxone may have a beneficial effect in trea ting dialyzed patients suffering from pruritus, probably by inhibiting histamine release.