Upstream Control by Diamine Oxidase (DAO): A Rationale Strategy to Prevent Dietary Histamine–Induced Dysfunctions

Histamine is implicated in the development of a variety of disorders. Both endogenously produced and exogenously ingested histamine may contribute to dysfunction not only in the gastrointestinal (GI) system but also in extraintestinal tissues. Accordingly, limiting the amount of bioavailable enteric histamine reaching target sites represents a rational strategy to mitigate its deleterious effects. Diamine oxidase (DAO), the principal histamine-degrading enzyme, can be obtained from animal and plant sources for the preparation of enzymatically active extracts. The availability of such DAO-containing extracts therefore represents a mechanistically sound approach to reducing intestinal histamine levels and, consequently, helping to prevent dietary histamine–related dysfunction.