Modulation of cellular-immune responses in vivo and in vitro by histamine receptor-bearing lymphocytes.

Histamine, one of the mediators involved in the IgE-mediated reaction, was demonstrated to influence in vivo and in vitro components of cellular-immune reactions in orthochlorbenzoyl-bovine gamma globulin-immune guinea pigs. 10(-3) M histamine reduced by half the size of a delayed hypersensitivity skin test at 24 h. Inhibition of skin reactivity by histamine could be partially reversed by H-1 receptor antagonists such as chlorpheniramine and completely prevented by H-2 receptor antagonists such as burimamide. The histamine suppression of cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity could be accounted for in part by its inhibitory effect on certain lymphocyte responses including antigen-induced migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production and proliferation. At concentrations of 10(-3)-10(-5) M histamine reversibly inhibited MIF production and its action could be blocked by H-2 antagonists but not H-1 antagonists. Thus, lymphocytes bearing H-2 receptors modulate MIF production and probably lymphocyte proliferation as well. Histamine did not interfere with the macrophage response to preformed MIF. These studies indicate that immediate hypersensitivity reactions involving histamine release might influence the subsequent expression of cellular-immune reactions.

Effects of common inhibitors of gastric acid secretion on secretagogue-induced respiration and aminopyrine accumulation in isolated gastric glands.

1. The effects of three inhibitors of gastric acid secretion, atropine, burimamide and thiocyanate, have been studied in isolated glands from the rabbit gastric mucosa. The glands were either resting or stimulated by carbachol, histamine or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The effects were determined from changes in oxygen consumption and accumulation of the weak base aminopyrine. The latter gives an indirect measurement of the acid production in the glands. 2. Atropine (10 (-6) M) almost totally inhibited the transient response induced by carbachol (10 (-4) M) in both measured parameters. The histamine-induced increase in respiration was inhibited when the atropine concentration was raised to 10 (-4) M. To a lesser extent also, histamine-induced aminopyrine accumulation was reduced. The dibutyryl cyclic AMP stimulated oxygen consumption was not affected by atropine. 3. Burimamide competitively inhibited the histamine responses but was without effect on those of carbachol and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. 4. Thiocyanate (10 (-2) M) inhibited the increase in oxygen consumption induced by all three secretagogues but not down the prestimulatory level, in spite of total abolishment of the aminopyrine accumulation. 5. In unstimulated glands, burimamide (10 (-3) M) or atropine (10 (-4) M) did not alter the normal aminopyrine ratio (aminopyrine in intraglandular water/ aminopyrine in extraglandular water) of approximately 50. This may indicate the existence of preformed acid in resting parietal cells. Thiocyanate, on the other hand, lowered the aminopyrine ratio in unstimulated glands from 46 to 2. Possible mechanisms for the thiocyanate effect are discussed in terms of an inability to separate acid and base in the secreting membrane.

In vitro anaphylaxis in guinea-pig skin: amplification by burimamide.

The effects of burimamide, an H2-antihistamine, on the anaphylactic reaction in the skin of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs were studied in vitro. Burimamide enhanced the concentration of histamine in the supernatant fraction of antigen-challenged sensitized guinea-pig skin in a dose-related way, but did not alter the concentration of residual histamine in the skin after antigen challenge. The enhanced histamine concentration in the supernatant was not due to increased histamine synthesis by the target cells during the reaction because the increase was not inhibited by a histidine decarboxylase inhibitor, Brocresine. In further experiments it was shown that guinea-pig skin possesses potent histamine degrading enzyme activity which is inhibited by burimamide. We suggest that inhibition of these degrading enzymes leads to the increase in histamine concentration in the presence of burimamide.

The significance of histamine H1 and H2 receptors on the carotid vascular bed in the dog.

Intra-arterial histamine produced a dose-dependent increase in common carotid blood flow due to an active vasodilation. A supramaximal dose of mepyramine (H1-blocker) only partially suppressed the effects of lower doses of histamine without influencing those of its higher amounts. Both metiamide and burimamide (H2-blockers) effectively antagonized the mepyramine-resistant carotid vasodilator responses to histamine. The results permit us to conclude that two distinctly different types of histaminergic receptors (H1 and H2) are present in the carotid vascular bed and both of these receptor types are equally important in subserving histamine vasodilation. This fact may explain why, despite incriminating evidence for a pathophysiologic role of histamine, the usual antihistaminic agents are rather ineffective in migrainous headaches. It is suggested that the use of both types of antihistaminic agents concurrently may provide a new approach to the treatment of migrainous headaches, particularly cluster-type headaches.

New analogs of burimamide as potent and selective histamine H3 receptor antagonists: the effect of chain length variation of the alkyl spacer and modifications of the N-thiourea substituent.

Burimamide was one of the first compounds reported to antagonize the activation of the histamine H3 receptor by histamine. We have prepared a large series of burimamide analogs by variation of the alkyl spacer length of burimamide from two methylene groups to six methylene groups and also by replacement of the N-methyl group with other alkyl and aryl groups. All analogs are reversible, competitive H3 antagonists as determined on the guinea pig intestine. Elongation of the alkyl chain from an ethylene chain to a hexylene chain results in an increase of the H3 antagonistic activity. The H3 selective pentylene and hexylene analogs of burimamide are about 10 times more potent than burimamide. The N-thiourea substituents, however, have no beneficial influence on the affinity.

Autoinhibition of histamine synthesis mediated by presynaptic H3-receptors.

The regulation of histamine synthesis was studied on rat brain slices or synaptosomes labeled with L-[3H]histidine. Depolarization by increased extracellular K+ concentration enhanced by about twofold the [3H]histamine formation in slices of cerebral cortex. This stimulation was also observed, although to a lesser extent, in synaptosomes from cerebral cortex and slices from the posterior hypothalamus where most histaminergic cell-bodies are located, suggesting that it may occur in nerve endings as well as in perikarya. In the presence of exogenous histamine in increasing concentrations the K+-induced stimulation was progressively reduced by up to 60-70%. The effect of exogenous histamine appears to be receptor-mediated as shown by its saturable character, high pharmacological specificity and competitive reversal by histamine antagonists. The EC50 value of histamine for synthesis reduction (0.34 +/- 0.03 microM) was similar to its EC50 value for release inhibition known to be mediated by H3-receptors. In addition, whereas mepyramine and tiotidine, two potent antagonists at H1- and H2-receptors, respectively, were poorly effective, the H3-receptor antagonists burimamide and impromidine reversed the histamine effect in an apparently competitive manner. These effects were observed in slices of cerebral cortex or posterior hypothalamus as well as in cortical synaptosomes. Furthermore, even in the absence of added histamine, H3-receptor antagonists enhanced the depolarization-induced stimulation of [3H]histamine synthesis, indicating a participation of released endogenous histamine in the synthesis control process. The potencies of H3-receptor antagonists were similar to those of these agents at presynaptic autoreceptors controlling [3H]histamine release. It is concluded that H3-receptors control not only release but also synthesis of histamine at the level of nerve endings and also, presumably, of perikarya. A relationship between the two regulatory processes, possibly via intracellular calcium, seems likely but remains to be investigated at the molecular level.

Stimulation of rat gastric adenylate cyclase by histamine and histamine analogues and blockade by burimamide.

Histamine, 4-methylhistamine, 3-(beta-aminoethyl)-1,2,4 triazole and betazole, in that order, stimulated adenylate cyclase prepared from rat gastric tissue in a dose-dependent manner. Burimamide, an H(2)-receptor blocking agent, in concentrations of 1-5 x 10(-6) M antagonized this effect. The data lend some support to the hypothesis that elevated levels of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate may be involved in histamine-stimulated gastric secretions and that H(2)-receptors are associated with adenylate cyclase.

Inhibition of guinea-pig lymphocyte activation by histamine and histamine analogues.

1 The incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into guinea-pig lymphocytes stimulated by a plant lectin (concanavalin A), soluble antigen (tuberculin (P.P.D.)) and syngeneic hepatoma cells, was partially inhibited (50%) by histamine in vitro. 2 The effect of histamine on both mitogen and antigen dose-response curves suggests a non-competitive, probably physiological antagonism. 3 The inhibitory dose range of histamine lay between 10 nM and 30 microM with an ID50 of approximately 400 nM. 4 The potency order for histamine analogues for the inhibition of lymphocyte activation was histamine greater than or equal to 4-methylhistamine greater than 2-methylhistamine greater than 3-methylhistamine. This is in accord with the mediation of the response through an H2-receptor. 5 H2-receptor antagonists reversed the inhibitory effect of histamine in a dose-related manner, but both metiamide and burimamide, in high concentrations, augmented lymphocyte activation in their own right. This precluded the determination of affinity constants and made it impossible to state with certainty that the inhibition of lymphocyte activation by histamine was mediated by an H2-receptor.

Nature of histamine receptors in the emetic chemoreceptor trigger zone.

1 The protective effects of the intracerebroventicular (i.c.v.) administration of the H1-receptor antagonist, mepyramine and the H2-receptor antagonists, burimamide and metiamide on centrally induced histamine-emesis were studied in unanaesthetized dogs. 2 The PD50 values of intraventricular mepyramine, burimamide and metiamide against the 100% emetic dose of histamine (3.0 mg i.c.v.) were found to be approximately 200 mug, 20 mug and 20 mug respectively. 3 Although burimamide (i.c.v. or i.v.) afforded protection against histamine-induced emesis, there was no protection against intravenous apomorphine-or oral copper sulphate-induced emesis. 4 The results suggest that both H1- and H2-histamine receptors in the emetic chemoreceptor trigger zone of the area postrema are concerned in histamine-induced emesis.

Inhibition of thromboxane A2 biosynthesis in human platelets by burimamide.

1 Burimamide selectively inhibited the formation of thromboxane A2 from prostaglandin endoperoxides by human platelet microsomes in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 2.5 x 10(-5) M). Burimamide was found to be equipotent to imidazole as a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor. 2 Metiamide, cimetidine and a series of compounds either bearing a structural or pharmacological relationship to histamine caused little or no inhibition of thromboxane A2 biosynthesis by human platelet microsomes. 3 Burimamide (5 x 10(-4) to 2.3 x 10(-3) M) did not inhibit either the cyclo-oxygenase or the prostacyclin synthetase of sheep seminal vesicles or the prostacyclin synthetase of dog aortic microsomes. 4 Burimamide (2.5 x 10(-5) to 1.2 x 10(-4) M) inhibited sodium arachidonate-induced human platelet aggregation; the degree of inhibition was dependent upon the concentration of arachidonic acid used to aggregate the platelets.

The effects of burimamide and metiamide on basal gastric function in the cat.

1 Burimamide injected intravenously in the anaesthetized or conscious cat produced significant increases in gastric acid secretion: in the anaesthetized cat it produced increased gastric mucosal blood flow. 2 Metiamide, in doses which inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion, produced no increase in gastric acid secretion in conscious animals, or gastric acid secretion or gastric mucosal blood flow in the anaesthetized cat. 3 Metiamide did not influence the amount of acid which diffused out of the stomach when instilled at pH values between 1.5 and 6.0. 4 The possible mode of action of burimamide in increasing basal gastric secretion is discussed.

Interaction of histamine H1-and H2-receptor antagonists with histamine uptake and metabolism by guinea-pig isolated atrium and mouse neoplastic mast cells cells in vitro.

1. Burimamide, metiamide, chlorpheniramine, triprolidine and cocaine, were tested as inhibitors of histamine uptake and metabolism in the guinea-pig atrium and in mouse neoplastic mast cells. 2. Cocaine did not affect the uptake and metabolism of histamine, either in the atrium or in the mast cells. All the antihistamines tested blocked the uptake and metabolism of histamine in both preparations. The order of potency was burimamide greater than chlorpheniramine greater than triprolidine greater than metiamide in the atrium; and burimamide greater than metiamide greater than triprolidine greater than chlorpheniramine, in the mase cells. 3. Comparison of the present results with the antihistamine activity of these blocking agents suggests that no correlation exists between the receptor blocking activity and the ability of these substances to act as inhibitors of histamine uptake and metabolism.

Blockade by burimamide of the restorative effect of histamine in tetrodotoxin-treated heart preparations.

1 In isolated heart preparations in which fast sodium channels were blocked by tetrodotoxin (2-4 x 10(-5) M), excitability was restored by histamine (6 x 10(-6) M to 10(-5) M). 2 This effect was antagonized by EDTA (2 X 10(-6) M),D600 compound (0.5mug/ml) and the H2-receptor antagonist, burimamide(2 X 10(-4) M).

Nature of histamine receptors concerned in capillary permeability.

1 Histamine and 2-methyl-histamine (H1-receptor agonist) caused dose-dependent increases in capillary permeability in albino mice, but 4-methyl-histamine (H2-receptor agonist) caused no significant increase. 2 Mepyramine (H1-receptor antagonist) blocked the histamine-induced increase in capillary permeability whereas burimamide (H2-receptor antagonist) produced no significant blockade of the histamine-response. 3 Combined mepyramine and burimamide pretreatment did not give any significantly greater protection than mepyramine alone. 4 The results indicate involvement of the H1-receptors in histamine-induced increase in capillary permeability.

The possible roles of histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and prostaglandin F2alpha as mediators of the acute pulmonary effects of endotoxin.

1 In an attempt to investigate the possible role of released vasoactive substances in mediating the pulmonary pressor responses to E. coli endotoxin, cats were pretreated with histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or prostaglandin antagonists, with a histamine depleting agent (compound 48/80) or with an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase (sodium meclofenamate).2 The administration of endotoxin (2 mg/kg) resulted in a rapidly developing pulmonary hypertension (pressure twice normal after 2-3 min), increases in right atrial and intratracheal pressures, systemic hypotension and bradycardia. These effects were unaffected by methysergide in a dose sufficient to prevent the effects of intravenously administered 5-HT.3 Endotoxin responses were also unaffected by a combination of mepyramine and burimamide in doses sufficient to reduce markedly the effects of intravenously-administered histamine. In cats pretreated (chronically or acutely) with compound 48/80, endotoxin induced a transient pulmonary pressor response which was not maintained.4 The pulmonary and systemic responses to endotoxin were prevented by the prior administration of the prostaglandin antagonist, polyphloretin phosphate and by pretreatment with the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, sodium meclofenamate.5 It is concluded that a pulmonary vasoconstrictor prostaglandin is involved in the acute response to endotoxin in the cat.

Inhibition of sympathetic hypertensive responses in the guinea-pig by prejunctional histamine H3-receptors.

1. The effect of (R)-alpha-methylhistamine, a selective H3-histamine receptor agonist, was examined on the neurogenic hypertension and tachycardia that is induced by stimulation of areas in the medulla oblongata of guinea-pigs. Electrical medullary stimulation (32 Hz, 3-5 s trains, 0.5-1.0 ms square pulse, 25-400 microA) produced intensity-dependent increases in blood pressure and a more variable tachycardia. 2. (R)-alpha-methylhistamine inhibited the hypertension and tachycardia due to submaximal CNS stimulation. The inhibition of hypertension by (R)-alpha-methylhistamine was dose-dependent (10-300 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) and was not seen at high intensities of stimulation. 3. (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (300 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) did not attenuate the pressor response to adrenaline (1 and 3 micrograms kg-1, i.v.), indicating that the effect of (R)-alpha-methylhistamine was not mediated by a postjunctional action on smooth muscle. 4. The inhibition of CNS-induced hypertension by (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (300 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) was blocked by the H3 antagonists, thioperamide (ID50 = 0.39 mg kg-1, i.v.), impromidine (ID50 = 0.22 mg kg-1, i.v.) and burimamide (ID50 = 6 mg kg-1, i.v.). The rank order potency of these antagonists is consistent with activity at the H3B receptor subtype. Chlorpheniramine (30 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) and cimetidine (3 mg kg-1, i.v.) did not antagonize the inhibition of CNS-hypertension by (R)-alpha-methylhistamine. 5. These results suggest that (R)-alpha-methylhistamine inhibits sympathetic hypertensive responses in guinea-pigs by activation of prejunctional H3-receptors, possibly located on postganglionic nerve terminals. Furthermore, on the basis of the rank order potency to different H3-antagonists, it appears that the H3B-receptor subtype is involved with H3-receptor responses on vascular sympathetic nerves.

The role of H1 and H2-receptors in the coronary vascular response to histamine of isolated perfused hearts of guinea-pigs and rabbits.

1. The effects of histamine on the isolated perfused hearts of guinea-pigs and rabbits were examined. Records of contractile force, heart rate and coronary perfusion pressure were obtained. 2. Histamine exerted positive inotropic and chronotropic effects which were antagonized by burimamide and attributed to stimulation of H2-receptors. 3. The coronary vascular response to histamine differed between guinea-pigs and rabbits. In guinea-pig hearts, three phases were apparent: (a) An initial vasodilatation preceding any effects on heart force and rate was antagonized by mepyramine and therefore mediated by histamine H1-receptors in the coronary circulation. (b) A secondary vasoconstriction was attributed to the increased myocardial compression during the positive inotropic and chronotropic responses. (c) The final, more predominant, component was a prolonged vasodilatation probably associated with the increased metabolic activity of the heart. 4. The latter two components were abolished together with the myocardial responses by burimamide. The remaining coronary vascular response was biphasic, consisting of a vasodilatation immediately followed by vasoconstriction. Both were antagonized by mepyramine and therefore mediated by H1-receptors. 5. The coronary vascular response of rabbit hearts was similar but no direct vasodilatation was observed and it was concluded that histamine receptors in the coronary vasculature involve only vasoconstriction.

An indirect sympathomimetic effect of burimamide on kitten isolated atria.

1. Burimamide (34-1080 muM) caused a concentration-dependent increase in the force and frequency of contraction of kitten isolated atria. 2. Metiamide (467 muM) had no stimulant action on kitten atria and did not modify the effects of burimamide. 3. The atrial stimulation produced by burimamide was reduced by (-)propranolol (34-68 nM) and by cocaine (3 muM). 4. The atrial stimulant effect of burimamide was prevented by pretreatment of kittens with reserpine (1 mg/kg, 24 h before the experiment). 5. It is concluded that burimamide causes atrial stimulation by releasing catecholamines.

Effects of the histamine H2-receptor blocking drugs burimamide and cimetidine on noradrenergic transmission in the isolated aorta of the rabbit and atria of the guinea-pig.

1 In rabbit aortic strips, concentration-response curves to noradrenaline (NA) were shifted to the right in a parallel and concentration-dependent manner by the alpha-adrenoceptor blocking drug, phentolamine and also by the histamine H(2)-receptor blocking drugs, burimamide and cimetidine. Responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine were not affected by these drugs.2 Burimamide had the properties of a competitive antagonist of noradrenaline, possessing about one-hundredth the potency of phentolamine. Cimetidine was weaker than burimamide and did not fulfil the requirements for competitive antagonism of noradrenaline.3 In guinea-pig isolated atria, in which noradrenergic transmitter stores were labelled with [(3)H]-noradrenaline, phentolamine (3 muM), burimamide (30 muM) and cimetidine (30 muM), in decreasing order of effectiveness, each enhanced stimulation-induced efflux of [(3)H]-noradrenaline, indicating that their blocking effects on prejunctional alpha-adrenoceptors in this tissue are in the same order of relative potency as on postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptors in rabbit aortic strips.4 In the concentrations used (30 muM), neither burimamide nor cimetidine interfered with the neuronal uptake of noradrenaline. Burimamide, and to a much lesser extent, cimetidine, increased the resting efflux of [(3)H]-noradrenaline from guinea-pig atria.5 The effect of clonidine, a partial agonist on prejunctional alpha-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig atria, in increasing stimulation-induced efflux of [(3)H]-noradrenaline when stimulated with 150 pulses at 5 Hz was blocked by cimetidine (30 muM) and reversed by phentolamine (3 muM) and burimamide (30 muM).

Further evidence for histamine facilitating oestrogen action in the uterus.

The effect of doses of estradiol ranging from 0-0125 to 1-6 mug on the uterine weight of the spayed rat was studied 24 h after a single s.c. injection of the hormone. The lowest dose inducing a significant increase in uterine weight was 0-32 mug. When histamine dihydrochloride (50 mg) was simultaneously injected with the hormone, the effect of small doses of oestradiol (0-0125--0-2 mug) was significantly increased. When oestradiol and histamine were administered for 3 successive days, the uterine weight of animals receiving 0-0125 mug oestradiol, if compared with untreated controls, was increased only in the histamine-treated group. When 0-05 mug oestradiol was administered histamine did not modify the increase already produced by the hormone. Spermidine and burimamide, two substances structurally related to histamine, increased [3H]oestradiol uptake by the spayed rat uterus. The latter (an antihistamine drug acting on H2-receptors) as well as pyrathiazine (a histamine releaser having antihistamine properties) decreased the effect of histamine on oestradiol uptake whereas diphenhydramine (an antihistamine drug blocking H1-receptors) did not modify it. Pyrathiazine was itself able to diminish oestradiol uptake.