Molecular modelling studies on 2-substituted octahydropyrazinopyridoindoles for histamine H2 receptor antagonism.

The human histamine H2 receptor (hH2HR) is a G-protein coupled receptor protein with seven transmembrane (TM)-spanning helices primarily involved in regulation of gastric acid secretion. Antagonists targeting hH2HR are useful in the treatment of hyperacidic conditions such as peptic ulcers, gastresophageal reflux disease and gastrointestinal bleeding. We have previously reported the antagonism of 2-substituted pyrazinopyridoindoles at the human histamine H1 receptor and mode of binding of these compounds at the hH1HR using in silico methods. Interestingly, some of the compounds in the series also showed promising activity towards hH2HR that prompted us to investigate the mode of binding of these compounds at hH2HR. In the absence of the crystal structure of hH2HR a homology model has been constructed using multiple sequence alignment, using the X-ray crystal structures of Turkey ß1-adrenergic receptor (tß1AR), Human histamine H1 receptor (hH1HR), Human ß2-adrenergic receptor (hß2AR) and Human D3 dopamine receptor (hD3R). The important residues for binding were depicted in TMIII, TMV, TMVI and TMVII by the homology modelled hH2HR for 2-substituted pyrazinopyridoindoles. A comparative study for deducing the selectivity regarding the binding towards hH1HR and hH2HR has been carried out, which may be useful in designing of selective hH1HR/hH2HR antagonists in these classes of compounds.

Constitutive activity and ligand selectivity of human, guinea pig, rat, and canine histamine H2 receptors.

Previous studies revealed pharmacological differences between human and guinea pig histamine H(2) receptors (H(2)Rs) with respect to the interaction with guanidine-type agonists. Because H(2)R species variants are structurally very similar, comparative studies are suited to relate different properties of H(2)R species isoforms to few molecular determinants. Therefore, we systematically compared H(2)Rs of human (h), guinea pig (gp), rat (r), and canine (c). Fusion proteins of hH(2)R, gpH(2)R, rH(2)R, and cH(2)R, respectively, and the short splice variant of G(salpha), G(salphaS), were expressed in Sf9 insect cells. In the membrane steady-state GTPase activity assay, cH(2)R-G(salphaS) but neither gpH(2)R-G(salphaS) nor rH(2)R-G(salphaS) showed the hallmarks of increased constitutive activity compared with hH(2)R-G(salphaS), i.e., increased efficacies of partial agonists, increased potencies of agonists with the extent of potency increase being correlated with the corresponding efficacies at hH(2)R-G(salphaS), increased inverse agonist efficacies, and decreased potencies of antagonists. Furthermore, in membranes expressing nonfused H(2)Rs without or together with mammalian G(salphaS) or H(2)R-G(salpha) fusion proteins, the highest basal and GTP-dependent increases in adenylyl cyclase activity were observed for cH(2)R. An example of ligand selectivity is given by metiamide, acting as an inverse agonist at hH(2)R-G(salphaS), gpH(2)R-G(salphaS), and rH(2)R-G(salphaS) in the GTPase assay in contrast to being a weak partial agonist with decreased potency at cH(2)R-G(salphaS). In conclusion, the cH(2)R exhibits increased constitutive activity compared with hH(2)R, gpH(2)R, and rH(2)R, and there is evidence for ligand-specific conformations in H(2)R species isoforms.

Degranulation of mast cells located in median eminence in response to compound 48/80 evokes adrenocortical secretion via histamine and CRF in dogs.

The effect of intracerebroventricular infusion of compound 48/80 (C48/80), a mast cell secretagogue, on adrenal cortisol secretion was investigated in dogs under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia. A marked increase in adrenal cortisol secretion was elicited by C48/80 along with a concomitant increase in the plasma levels of cortisol and immunoreactive ACTH, but neither arterial blood pressure and heart rate nor the plasma histamine level altered significantly. Pretreatment with either anti-CRF antiserum or pyrilamine maleate (H(1) histamine-receptor antagonist) significantly attenuated the C48/80-evoked increase in cortisol secretion, but pretreatment with metiamide (H(2)-receptor antagonist) significantly potentiated it. Significant attenuation of the C48/80-evoked increase in cortisol also occurred in dogs given ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizing drug, before pharmacologic challenge. In the pars tuberalis and median eminence (ME), mast cells were highly concentrated in close association with the primary plexus of the hypophysial portal system. Degranulated mast cells were extensively found in the ME of C48/80-treated animals. These results suggest that mast cells located in these regions liberated histamine within the brain as a result of degranulation induced by C48/80 and that this led to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

Studies on the involvement of histamine in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation induced by nerve growth factor.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. Since NGF induces the release of histamine from mast cells and in consideration of the fact that histamine is an HPA axis activator, we investigated whether NGF adrenocortical stimulation is mediated by histamine. To accomplish with it, the H1 histamine antagonist promethazine and the H2 antagonists metiamide and zolantidine were used in freely-moving cannulated rats. The increase in plasma corticosterone concentration induced by histamine administration was prevented completely by promethazine pretreatment but was unaffected by the H2 antagonists. Neither H1 nor H2 antagonists affected the adrenocortical stimulation induced by NGF administration. Moreover, since mast cells are reportedly present in the rat adrenal gland and the locally released histamine mediates the release of adrenaline which, in turn, stimulates glucocorticoid synthesis and secretion, we studied the effect of NGF on basal and ACTH-stimulated corticosterone release from in vitro isolated quartered adrenal glands and collagenase-dispersed adrenal cells. The results from these in vitro experiments have indicated that NGF modified neither spontaneous nor stimulated corticosterone release. Altogether these observations suggest that endogenous histamine is unlikely to be involved in HPA axis stimulation by NGF and reinforce the previously proposed concept of an active participation of NGF in the control of adrenocortical activity.

New ultraviolet signal actuated switching valve for the measurement of low level impurities by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A new ultraviolet (UV) signal actuated switching valve for diverting the main matrix compound to waste, preventing it entering the ion source of the mass spectrometer is described. Sensitivity for trace impurities eluting after the drug substance cimetidine or related compounds could be enhanced by a factor of 4-5. The increase in sensitivity was dependent on the type of ion source which interfaced the mass spectrometer. The benefit of the switching valve was greater with a line of sight type source than with an orthogonal one. The detection limit for a trace compound in a matrix compound was improved by up to a factor of 10 with the line of sight type source but only by a factor of 5 with the orthogonal source.

Histamine receptors in the skin melanophores of Indian bullfrog Rana tigerina.

Histamine and 2-methyl histamine caused dose-dependent aggregation of the integumental melanophores of Rana tigerina both in vitro and in vivo. The aggregating effects were antagonised by mepyramine and metiamide, specific H1 and H2 receptor blockers, respectively. Compound 48/80 and EDTA augmented the melanin-aggregating effects of exogenously applied histamine and 2-methyl histamine in in vivo experiments. 4-Methyl histamine, a specific H2 receptor agonist, dispersed the frog melanophores in in vitro studies, the dispersing effects were blocked by metiamide.

[Age differences in topic concentrations and activity of H2- and B2-receptors in the larynx and trachea]. / Vozrastnye razlichiia topicheskoi kontsentratsii i aktivnosti H2- i B2-retseptorov v gortani i trakhee.

H2- and B2-receptors concentrations and activity were measured in 12 adult (6-7-month-old) and 12 young (1.5-2-month-old) rabbits by vascular reactions to histamine and bradykinin with and without prior usage of relevant specific receptor blocker. The findings suggest that concentration and activity of H2- and B2-receptors in young animals are the highest in the larynx. In mature animals-partially in trachea. With aging these concentrations and activity diminish in the larynx and rise in the trachea, the changes of B2-receptors are more significant.

Effect of histaminergic drugs on integumental melanophores of adult Bufo melanostictus.

Histamine and 2-methyl histamine caused dose-dependent aggregation of melanophores in toad B. melanostictus. The effects were effectively antagonised by mepyramine, a specific H1 histamine receptor antagonist, and metiamide a specific H2 receptor antagonist. On the other, hand 4-methyl histamine, a specific H2 receptor agonist dispersed the melanophores. The results suggest that adult Bufo melanophores have H1 histamine receptors which mediate melanophore aggregation, however, dispersion of melanophores may be controlled by undifferentiated histamine receptors of H2 type.

Endothelium-independent contractile and relaxant responses to histamine in the rabbit aorta and common carotid, mesenteric, renal, and femoral arteries.

1. The role of the vascular endothelium in the relaxant and contractile responses to histamine of the isolated rabbit aorta; common carotid, mesenteric, renal, and femoral arteries; as well as receptor types mediating these responses were analyzed. 2. Histamine (10(-8) to 10(-4) mol/l) contracted resting rings and caused a further concentration-dependent contraction of rings of the arteries precontracted by phenylephrine. 3. Pyrilamine abolished the contractile response to histamine in resting rings of the arteries, whereas it reversed that response into a concentration-dependent relaxant response in precontracted rings of the arteries. The relaxant effect of histamine was abolished by metiamide, but it was not affected by sotalol and atropine. Moreover, in control experiments, the phenylephrine-induced contractions and acetylcholine-induced relaxations were not changed by pyrilamine and metiamide, respectively. 4. Endothelial removal did not influence the contractile and relaxant responses of the arteries to histamine. 5. These findings indicate that, in the isolated rabbit aorta and common carotid, mesenteric, renal, and femoral arteries, the contractile effect of histamine resulting from the activation of H1 receptors overcomes its relaxant effect resulting from the activation of H2 receptors. The effects of histamine are neither mediated nor modulated by the endothelial cells.

[Cellular histamine and bradykinin receptors in the larynx and trachea. I]. / Kletochnye retseptory dlia gistamina i bradikinina v gortani i trakhee. Soobshchenie 1.

Classic physiological and pharmacological experiments were made on 33 rabbits under hexenal anesthesia to determine the presence, topical concentration and activity of H2 and B2-receptors. These parameters were inferred by edema and other vascular responses of the mucosa to local application of histamine and bradykinin prior to and after usage of specific blocker of each receptor type. Both mediators and receptor blockers were applied to laryngeal and tracheal mucosa for 10 min (histamine 10(-4) and 10(-3) g/ml, H2-receptor blocker metiamide 0.1 and 1 mmol, bradykinin 10(-5) and 10(-4) g/ml, B2-receptor blocker pyridinolcarbamate 10(-2) and 10(-1) g/ml). The larynx and trachea were found to contain H2- and B2-receptors the concentrations of which were greater in the subvocal part of the larynx than in the vestibular part and trachea. B2-receptor activity and concentrations in the subvocal part of the larynx were 10 times while in the trachea 1.5-2 times greater than those of H2-receptors. These regularities were not influenced by individual varieties of receptor topical concentrations. The blocker density in the receptors and the duration of their binding were not universally proportional. This is also true for the relations mediator-receptor. Concentrations and activity of H2- and B2-receptors are thought important in pathogenesis and location of acute inflammatory and allergic conditions in the upper respiratory tract.

The development of cimetidine: 1964-1976. A human story.

There was still controversy regarding the physiology of acid secretion in 1964 when a team at Smith Kline & French Laboratories in England started a project to prove the existence of more than one receptor for histamine and to find a substance capable of blocking the effects not blocked by the commonly used antihistamines. The team was convinced that histamine was the final mediator of acid secretion. After 8 years, James Black and his coworkers published evidence of the first histamine2-receptor antagonist, burimamide. As this substance was not suitable for oral therapy, the research continued. Metiamide was synthesized with promising clinical effects but questionable safety. The final answer was cimetidine (Tagamet), approved in England in November 1976. Cimetidine was a breakthrough in the treatment of peptic ulcers. In this article I focus on the human factors lying behind many of the decisions made during the years of research. Without personal courage under stressful conditions, the H2-receptor antagonists might never have reached the market.

Mast-cell histamine is angiogenic through receptors for histamine1 and histamine2.

The activation of mast-cells in situ induces angiogenesis in normally vascularized, adult mammalian tissue. Since the secreting mast-cell characteristically releases histamine, we studied the possible role of histamine in the outcome of mast-cell mediated angiogenesis using the rat mesenteric window assay. One H1-receptor antagonist, brompheniramine maleate (BPA), and one H2-receptor antagonist, metiamide, were separately administered systemically (s.c.) at non-toxic doses during the period of angiogenesis induction. Angiogenesis was effected by i.p. injections of the mast-cell secretagogue compound 48/80 for 5 consecutive days. The animals were killed 14 days after the start of the i.p. and s.c. treatment, close to the middle of the expanding angiogenic phase of the angiogenic reaction studied. Angiogenesis was quantified in terms of (a) the number of vessel profiles per unit tissue length (No/UL), which reflects mainly the degree of branching and/or tortuosity, (b) the relative vascularized area (VA), which is a measure of spatial extension, and (c) the vascular density (VD), a measure of vessel density per unit area of vascularized tissue. Whereas BPA significantly suppressed No/UL, metiamide significantly reduced No/UL and VD in statistical terms suggesting that endogenous mast-cell histamine is angiogenic through both H1- and H2-receptors. This appears to be the first paper to report that the occupancy of H2-receptors is angiogenic.

Increase of human platelet serotonin uptake by atypical histamine receptors.

Histamine and the guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-inducing agent sodium nitroprusside both increased serotonin (5-HT) uptake and cGMP levels in isolated human platelets in vitro. Histaminergic stimulation was observed at concentrations ranging from 10 nM to 0.25 microM [mean effective concentration (EC50) = 0.1 microM histamine]. The inhibition produced by the H2-receptor antagonists tiotidine, metiamide, and cimetidine was 10-10(5) times more potent on histamine receptors regulating 5-HT uptake and cGMP generation in human platelets than on the histaminergic receptors H1, HIC, H2, and H3 in other tissues. The in vitro histamine-induced 5-HT uptake was prevented by preincubation of isolated human platelets in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or the cGMP-lowering agent LY-83583. Histamine was ineffective in stimulating cAMP generation in human platelets and did not interact with effector sites known to downregulate 5-HT uptake, including imipramine, gamma-aminobutyric acid A, peripheral type benzodiazepine-binding sites, and V1a vasopressin receptors inducing human platelet shape change and aggregation. These atypical human platelet histaminergic receptors differ from the previously classified histamine receptors by their apparent high affinity to histamine H2-receptor antagonists and their apparent link with the soluble, nitric oxide-dependent guanylate cyclase. These findings suggest that human platelets express a new subtype H2h of histamine receptors.

Antigen-induced contraction of guinea pig isolated pulmonary arteries and lung parenchyma.

We characterized the kinetics of and determined the mediators involved in antigen-induced contraction of pulmonary arteries (PA) and lung parenchyma isolated from actively sensitized guinea pigs. Ovalbumin (10(-2) mg/ml) induced contractions of PA rings, which reached maximum amplitude by 2 min and decayed to 50% of maximum by 4-6 min. Pyrilamine (10(-6) M) delayed the onset of contraction and decreased the peak of the response by > 50%. Metiamide (10(-4) M) partially reversed this effect. The addition of indomethacin (10(-6) M) to the combination of pyrilamine and metiamide had no significant effect. The further addition of the leukotriene (LT) D4/LTE4 receptor antagonist SKF 104353 (10(-5) M) reduced the contraction by > 80%. The maximum amplitude of antigen-induced contraction of parenchymal strips was reached by 15 min and was sustained for > 60 min. In these tissues, SKF 104353 inhibited the contraction by approximately 35%, but the histamine receptor antagonists and indomethacin had no significant effect. These results suggest that both histamine and sulfidopeptide LTs mediate antigen-induced contraction of PA, whereas sulfidopeptide LTs, but not histamine, are involved in the parenchymal response.

Effect of histamine-H2 receptor antagonists on serum gastrin levels in swine.

We evaluated the serum gastrin response to feeding and increasing age in swine. In addition, metiamide (SKF 92058) and the more potent H2 receptor antagonist, SKF 93479, were administered in the feed after which, serum was evaluated for changes in gastrin. We also measured metiamide clearance from the blood after an intravenous bolus infusion of the drug. Gastrin levels measured 15 minutes after feeding decreased as a consequence of increasing animal age (P less than 0.0001). Postprandial serum gastrin levels increased to maximal levels by approximately 60 minutes postfeeding and declined slowly during the subsequent 60 minutes. There were no differences in the postprandial gastrin responses during the morning or evening feeding, although evening levels tended to be higher (P greater than 0.10). Metiamide fed at 50 or 500 mg/kg of feed caused a significant increase (P less than 0.02) in gastrin 15 minutes postfeeding (31.0 and 39.7%, respectively). Metiamide in serum decreased to undetectable levels by 120 minutes after an intravenous infusion of 10 mg/kg in two pigs. Metiamide fed at 162 mg/kg and SKF 93479 fed at 54 mg/kg of ration resulted in similar elevations in gastrin, indicating that SKF 93479 was as potent as metiamide in eliciting a gastrin response by using only one-third of the concentration in the feed. These results provide evidence for similarities between swine and humans in serum gastrin responses.

Effect of histamine on tracheal mucosal perfusion, water content and airway smooth muscle in sheep.

We examined the response of tracheal mucosal blood flow normalized for systemic arterial pressure (Qtrn), water content (VH20) and luminal dead space (Vtr) to nebulized histamine in intact, lightly anesthetized sheep. Nebulized histamine produced rapid increases in mean Qtrn (+84%) and VH2O (+85%), and a decrease in mean Vtr (-17%) (P less than 0.05) within 5 min post completion of challenge. Mean Vtr rapidly returned to baseline, while mean Qtrn and VH2O remained elevated for 60 and 90 min after challenge, respectively. Pretreatment with chlorpheniramine (H1-antagonist) blocked the changes in Vtr and VH2O, and attenuated the increase in Qtrn. Metiamide (H2-antagonist) pretreatment abolished the increase in Qtrn and blunted the increase in VH2O, but had no effect on the decrease in VTR. 2-methylhistamine (H1-agonist) decreased mean Qtrn and Vtr (P less than 0.05) and dimaprit (H2-agonist) increased mean Qtrn (P less than 0.05) without changing Vtr. Neither 2-methylhistamine nor dimaprit significantly altered VH2O. Atropine blocked histamine induced decreases in Vtr and slightly attenuated the increases in Qtrn and VH2O. Thus, histamine increased airway smooth muscle tone and mucosal water content principally via H1 receptors, and mucosal perfusion via H2 receptors. The airway smooth muscle contraction involved muscarinic pathways.

Mechanism of adenylate cyclase activation by the rat lung cytoplasmic factors.

Epinephrine, histamine and prostaglandin E1 stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in lung membranes and their stimulation of the enzyme activity was completely blocked by propranolol, metiamide and indomethacin, respectively. A partially-purified activator from the adult rat lung also enhanced adenylate cyclase activity in membranes. However, stimulation of adenylate cyclase by the rat lung activator was not abolished by the above receptor antagonists. Further, epinephrine, NaF and Gpp(NH)p stimulated adenylate cyclase activity rather readily, whereas stimulation of the enzyme activity by the lung activator was evident after an initial lag phase of 10 min. Also, the lung activator produced additive activation of adenylate cyclase with epinephrine, NaF and Gpp(NH)p. These results indicate that the lung activator potentiates adenylate cyclase activity in membranes by a mechanism independent from those known for epinephrine, NaF and Gpp(NH)p. Incubation of lung membranes for 30 min at 40 degrees C resulted in a loss of adenylate cyclase activation by NaF and Gpp(NH)p. Addition of the released proteins to the heat-treated membranes did not restore the enzyme response to these agonists. However, heat treatment of lung membranes in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol prevented the loss of adenylate cyclase response to NaF and Gpp(NH)p. N-ethylmaleimide abolished adenylate cyclase activation by epinephrine, NaF, Gpp(NH)p and the lung activator. These results indicate that the sulfhydryl groups are important for adenylate cyclase function in rat lung membranes.

A theoretical model for the histamine H2-receptor.

We describe an electronic and conformational study of histamine H2-receptor ligands of the imidazole series, in which the possibilities of configurational isomerism (the thiourea group) and N3H and N1H tautomerism (imidazole ring) were considered. The results suggest that the conformational flexibility of the molecules and the properties of the imidazole ring are of special importance in the display of H2-receptor activity. A theoretical model of histamine H2-receptor interactions is proposed on the basis of these and other results. A very important characteristic of our model is its ability to explain H2-receptor activation by compounds which differ structurally, and to explain antagonism at the same receptor. The stereospecificity of rigid analogues of cimetidine and tiotidine, and the importance of chain length in flexible histamine H2-antagonists are also accounted for.