Modifications in tissue histamine levels in mice treated with chronic epicutaneous application of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate.

Chronic epicutaneous application of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) on the right flank of C 57 BL/6 mice induces an inflammatory reaction and a selective increase in skin histamine level at the site of treatment. Tissue histamine levels were not increased at other sites such as contralateral skin, stomach rumen and skeletal muscle, and were decreased in stomach fundus and dorsal skin. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that mast cells play a significant role in cutaneous inflammation induced by PMA.