Question

Which role does histamine play during inflammation?

1) Histamine reduces inflammation
2) Histamine has no effect on inflammation
3) Histamine increases inflammation
4) Histamine prevents inflammation

Answer 1

Histamine significantly increases inflammation by causing vasodilation and increasing blood vessel permeability, which leads to swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area.

Step-by-step explanation:

Histamine plays a crucial role during inflammation by increasing the inflammation response. When tissue damage occurs, mast cells degranulate and release histamine, which acts as a potent vasodilator. This vasodilation leads to an increased blood flow, resulting in the affected area appearing red and feeling warm.

Histamine also increases the permeability of blood vessels, which allows immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages, along with fluid, to move into the interstitial tissue spaces, causing swelling or edema. The presence of histamine and its effects enhance the body's inflammatory response to injury, promoting the clearance of pathogens and initiating healing processes. Therefore, histamine does not reduce, prevent, or have no effect on inflammation; instead, it significantly increases it.