Effects of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), nocodazole, and taxol on mast cell histamine secretion

• Published in: Acta pharmacologica et toxicologica Vol. 59; no. 3; p. 214
• Main Authors: Nielsen, E H, Johansen, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark 01.09.1986
• Subjects: Alkaloids - pharmacology; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; Benzimidazoles - pharmacology; Dimethyl Sulfoxide - pharmacology; Histamine Release - drug effects; Immunochemistry; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Mast Cells - drug effects; Mast Cells - ultrastructure; Microtubules - drug effects; Nocodazole; Paclitaxel; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1986.tb00157.x
• ISSN: 0001-6683

Nocodazole depolymerized microtubules and increased the number of microfilaments, and dimethylsulfoxide increased the number of microfilaments. Both drugs inhibited compound 48/80-induced histamine release from rat mast cells. Taxol, which increased the number of microtubules, had no effect on histamine release. These observations support the view that microtubules may not be directly involved in secretion, but apparently an increased number of microfilaments is associated with a decreased capacity of the mast cells for histamine release. We suggest that microfilaments have to be depolymerized or rearranged before secretion can take place.