vasoactive amines

Because of efficient hepatic metabolism of vasoactive amines, the carcinoid syndrome rarely occurs in the absence of liver metastases.

In patients with the carcinoid syndrome, palliation is sometimes obtained with pharmacologic agents that suppress production or block the action of vasoactive amines; of particular interest is a somatostatin analogue.

It catalyzes the oxidative deamination of biogenic and xenobiotic amines and plays an important role in the metabolism of neuroactive and vasoactive amines in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues.

Food intolerances can be caused by enzymatic defects in the digestive system, can also result from pharmacological effects of vasoactive amines present in foods (e.g. Histamine), among other metabolic, pharmacological and digestive abnormalities.

The immediate hypersensitivity reaction occurs minutes after exposure and includes release of vasoactive amines and lipid mediators, whereas the late-phase reaction occurs 2-4 hours after exposure and includes the release of cytokines.