The effect of histamine iontophoresis on the heart rate and blood pressure of female subjects

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to determine the effect of histamine iontophoresis on the Blood Pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) of female subjects. Twenty apparently healthy female undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (average age 24.2 ± 2.9) participated in the study. An automated electronic sphygmo-manometer that monitors both BP and HR was used to measure the Systolic Blood Pressure(SBP) and diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) over the left brachial ar tery. The histamine gel used in this study contained 1 percent histamine dihydro-chloride. The gel was applied to the right biceps brachii and active was applied below the cubital fossa. The current intensity Interrupted Direct Current (IDC) was gradually increased and subjects were instructed to indicate immediately they experienced tingling sensation under the electrode. The same procedure was carried out the second time on the subjects with the same intensity of IDC current but without histamine for each subject. The treatments were administered on different days but within a two-week interval. The cardiovascular response was monitored five minutes before the administration, twenty minutes during the administration and five minutes after the termination of each treatment. Blood Pressure and heart rate did not change significantly from the baseline during the histamine iontophoresis and direct currents treatments (P> 0.05). The findings suggest that the subjects' BP and HR were not affected by histamine iontophoresis during the twenty minutes treatment. It was concluded that local administration of 1 percent histamine dihydrochloride into the subcutaneous tissue of females' right upper arm with the aid of direct current did not appreciably affect the blood pressure and heart rate after 20 minutes of treatment.