Induction of mast cell secretion by parathormone.

The biologically active fragment of human parathormone (PTH) and intact bovine PTH were found to induce secretion of both serotonin and histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells in vitro. Release of serotonin and histamine was demonstrated with 25 units/ml PTH or higher. This level is within the higher limits of the elevated PTH levels found in advanced uremia. Mast cell secretion by PTH was dose, time and energy dependent and was not cytotoxic. Although mast cell activation was independent of extracellular calcium, it required intracellular calcium, thus resembling the action of certain other peptide secretagogues. Intradermal injection of PTH induced immediate increases in vascular permeability suggesting that PTH could induce mast cell secretion in vivo. Light and electron microscopic observations confirmed mast cell degranulation by exocytosis. These results demonstrate that elevated levels of PTH can induce mast cell secretion in vitro and in vivo and suggest a possible role for mast cells in the pathophysiology of non-allergic disease states.