[Mechanisms of histamine ameliorating memory impairment induced by pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of neuronal histamine on spatial memory acquisition impairment in rats with pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy, and to explore its mechanisms. Methods: A subconvulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole (35 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected in rats every 48 h to induce chemical kindling until fully kindled. Morris water maze was used to measure the spatial memory acquisition of the rats one week after fully pentylenetetrazole-kindled, and the histamine contents in different brain areas were measured spectrofluorometrically. Different dosages of hitidine (the precursor of histamine), pyrilamine (H1 receptor antagonist), and zolantidine (H2 receptor antagonist) were intraperitoneally injected, and their effects on spatial memory acquisition of the rats were observed. Results: Compared with control group, escape latencies were significantly prolonged on Morris water maze training day 2 and day 3 in pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy rats (all P<0.05); and the histamine contents in hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus were decreased significantly (all P<0.05). Escape latencies were markedly shortened on day 3 by intraperitoneally injected with histidine 500 mg/kg, and on day 2 and day 3 by intraperitoneally injected with histidine 1000 mg/kg in pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy rats (all P<0.05). The protection of histidine was reversed by zolantidine (10 and 20 mg/kg), but not by pyrilamine. Conclusion: Neuronal histamine can improve the spatial memory acquisition impairment in rats with pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy, and the activation of H2 receptors is possibly involved in the protective effects of histamine.

Protective effect of lafutidine, a novel H2-receptor antagonist, on reflux esophagitis in rats through capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons.

We examined the effect of lafutidine, a novel histamine H(2)-receptor antagonist, on acid reflux esophagitis in rats in relation to capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons. The esophagitis was induced in rats by ligating both the pylorus and forestomach for 4 h. Lafutidine (1 - 30 mg/kg) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg) were administered either intragastrically or intraduodenally, while capsaicin (1 - 30 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically after the dual ligation. Intragastrical administered lafutidine at >3 mg/kg significantly prevented the hemorrhagic esophageal damage induced by the dual ligation, and this effect was mimicked by neither capsaicin nor cimetidine given intragastrically, but totally abolished by sensory deafferentation. In contrast, lafutidine and cimetidine given intraduodenally were both protective against the esophageal damage in a sensory deafferentation-resistant manner. The acid secretion in pylorus-ligated stomachs was significantly inhibited by these agents given intraduodenally, but not intragastrically. Vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) was expressed abundantly in the stomach, but very weakly expressed in the esophagus as assessed by Western blotting. These results suggest that lafutidine is effective against the esophageal lesions induced by acid reflux through inhibition of acid secretion and capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons. The latter mechanism, not shared by cimetidine, may be due to the interaction of lafutidine with unidentified sites on sensory neurons other than VR1.

Structural and functional characterization of gastric mucosa and central nervous system in histamine H2 receptor-null mice.

To examine the physiological role of the histamine H(2) receptor, histamine H(2) receptor-null mice were generated by homologous recombination. Histamine H(2) receptor-null mice, which developed normally and were fertile and healthy into adulthood, exhibited markedly enlarged stomachs and marked hypergastrinemia. The former was due to hyperplasia of gastric gland cells (small-sized parietal cells, enterochromaffin-like cells and mucous neck cells which were rich in mucin), but not of gastric surface mucous cells, which were not increased in number as compared with those in wild-type mice despite the marked hypergastrinemia. Basal gastric pH was slightly but significantly higher in histamine H(2) receptor-null mice. Although carbachol but not gastrin induced in vivo gastric acid production in histamine H(2) receptor-null mice, gastric pH was elevated by both muscarinic M(3) and gastrin antagonists. Thus, both gastrin and muscarinic receptors appear to be directly involved in maintaining gastric pH in histamine H(2) receptor-null mice. Interestingly, gastric glands from wild-type mice treated with an extremely high dose of subcutaneous lansoprazole (10 mg/kg body weight) for 3 months were very similar to those from histamine H(2) receptor-null mice. Except for hyperplasia of gastric surface mucous cells, the findings for gastric glands from lansoprazole-treated wild-type mice were almost identical to those from gastric glands from histamine H(2) receptor-null mice. Therefore, it is possible that the abnormal gastric glands in histamine H(2) receptor-null mice are secondary to the severe impairment of gastric acid production, induced by the histamine H(2) receptor disruption causing marked hypergastrinemia. Analyses of the central nervous system (CNS) of histamine H(2) receptor-null mice revealed these mice to be different from wild-type mice in terms of spontaneous locomotor activity and higher thresholds for electrically induced convulsions. Taken together, these results suggest that (1) gastrin receptors are functional in parietal cells in histamine H(2) receptor-null mice, (2) abnormal gastric glands in histamine H(2) receptor-null mice may be secondary to severe impairment of gastric acid production and secretion and (3) histamine H(2) receptors are functional in the central nervous system.

Novel histamine H(3)-receptor antagonists with carbonyl-substituted 4-(3-(phenoxy)propyl)-1H-imidazole structures like ciproxifan and related compounds.

Novel histamine H(3)-receptor antagonists possessing a 4-(3-(phenoxy)propyl)-1H-imidazole structure generally substituted in the para-position of the phenyl ring have been synthesized according to Mitsunobu or S(N)Ar reactions. With in vitro and in vivo screening for H(3)-receptor antagonist potency, the carbonyl-substituted derivatives proved to be highly active compounds. A number of compounds showed in vitro affinities in the subnanomolar concentration range, and the 4-hexanoyl (10) and 4-acetyl-3-methyl (29) substituted derivatives showed in vivo antagonist potencies of about 0.1 mg/kg after po administration. Many proxifans were also tested for their affinities at other histamine receptor subtypes thereby demonstrating their pronounced H(3)-receptor subtype selectivity. Since the cyclopropyl ketone derivative 14 (ciproxifan) had high affinity in vitro as well as high potency in vivo, it was selected for further studies in monkeys. It showed good oral absorption and long-lasting, dose-dependent plasma levels making it a promising compound for drug development.

Histamine excites rat cerebellar Purkinje cells via H2 receptors in vitro.

Recent neuroanatomical studies have revealed a direct hypothalamocerebellar histaminergic pathway. However, the functional significance of the histaminergic fibers in the cerebellum is not yet clear. In this study, the effects of histamine on the firing of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) were investigated in vitro. Histamine predominantly produced excitatory (106/111, 95.5%) and in a few cases inhibitory (5/111, 4.5%) responses in PCs. The histamine-induced excitation was not blocked by perfusing the slice with low Ca2+ high/Mg2+ medium (n = 8), supporting a direct postsynaptic action of histamine. The histamine H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine effectively blocked the excitatory response of PCs to histamine (n = 20), but triprolidine, an H1 receptor antagonist, could not significantly block the histamine-induced excitation, or only very slightly decreased the excitatory effect of histamine on the cells (n = 13). On the other hand, the highly selective H2 receptor agonist dimaprit mimicked the excitatory effect of histamine on PCs and this dimaprit-induced excitation was also blocked by ranitidine (n = 20), but not triprolidine (n = 8). However, the H1 receptor agonists betahistine and 2-thiazolylethylamine did not show any effect on the PCs (n = 9 and 14). These results reveal that histamine excites cerebellar PCs via H2 receptors and suggest that the hypothalamocerebellar histaminergic fibers may play an important role in functional activities of the cerebellum.

Importance of histamine in the cytokine network in the lung through H2 and H3 receptors: stimulation of IL-10 production.

Histamine, a well-known inflammatory mediator, has been implicated in various immunoregulatory effects that are poorly understood. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that histamine inhibits the release of a proinflammatory cytokine, namely TNF, by stimulating the release of an anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) from humans, Sprague Dawley rats, and the AM cell line, NR8383, were treated with different concentrations of histamine (10-5-10-7 M) for 2 h prior to their stimulation with suboptimal concentration of LPS (1 ng/ml) for 4 h. Histamine inhibited TNF release in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was mimicked by H2 and H3 receptor agonists, but not by H1 receptor agonist. Furthermore, we demonstrated the expression of H3 receptor mRNA in human AMs. Interestingly, treatment of AMs with anti-IL-10, anti-PGE2, or a NO synthase inhibitor (Nomega-nitro-l -arginine methyl ester) before the addition of histamine abrogated the inhibitory effect of the latter on TNF release. Histamine treatment (10-5 M) increased the release of IL-10 from unstimulated (2.2-fold) and LPS-stimulated (1. 7-fold) AMs. Unstimulated AMs, NR8383, express few copies of IL-10 mRNA, as tested by quantitative PCR, but expression of IL-10 was increased by 1.5-fold with histamine treatment. Moreover, the stimulation of IL-10 release by histamine was abrogated by pretreatment with anti-PGE2 or the NO synthase inhibitor, Nomega-nitro-l -arginine methyl ester. Thus, histamine increases the synthesis and release of IL-10 from AMs through PGE2 and NO production. These results suggest that histamine may play an important role in the modulation of the cytokine network.

Histaminergic and catecholaminergic interactions in the central regulation of vasopressin and oxytocin secretion.

Activation of histaminergic and noradrenergic/adrenergic neurons in the brain stimulates the release of the neurohypophysial hormones arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) and are involved the mediation of the hormone responses to physiological stimuli such as dehydration and suckling. We therefore investigated whether the two neuronal systems interact in their regulation of AVP and OT secretion in conscious male rats. When administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), histamine (HA) as well as the H1 receptor agonist 2-thiazolylethylamine or the H2 receptor agonist 4-methylHA stimulated AVP and OT secretion. Prior i.c.v. infusion of antagonists specific to alpha or beta adrenergic receptors or their subtypes did not significantly affect the hormone response to HA or the histaminergic agonists. Infused i.c.v. norepinephrine (NE) or epinephrine (E) increased AVP and OT secretion. Prior i.c.v. infusion of the H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine or the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine significantly inhibited the AVP and OT responses to NE and the AVP response to E, whereas only cimetidine inhibited the OT response to E significantly. Systemic pretreatment with imetit, which by activation of presynaptic H3 receptors inhibits neuronal synthesis and release of HA, decreased the AVP and OT responses to NE and E significantly. In the doses used, HA and E had no significant effect on mean arterial blood pressure. NE increased mean arterial blood pressure 10% at 1 and 2.5 min, whereafter the blood pressure returned to basal level within 10 min. The results indicate that noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons stimulate AVP and OT secretion via an involvement of histaminergic neurons, which may occur at magnocellular neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. The stimulatory effect of the amines on neurohypophysial hormone secretion seems to be independent of a central action on blood pressure. In contrast, a functionally intact noradrenergic and adrenergic neuronal system seems not to be a prerequisite for a HA-induced release of AVP and OT. The present findings further substantiate the role of histaminergic neurons in the central regulation of neurohypophysial hormone secretion.

Neuronal histamine and expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone, vasopressin and oxytocin in the hypothalamus: relative importance of H1 and H2 receptors.

Centrally administered histamine (HA) stimulates the secretion of the pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides ACTH and beta-endorphin as well as prolactin. The effect of HA on secretion of these adenohypophysial hormones is indirect and may involve activation of hypothalamic neurons containing corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), arginine-vasopressin (AVP) or oxytocin (OT). We studied the effect of activating central HA receptors by central infusion of HA, HA agonists or antagonists on expression of CRH, AVP and OT mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei. Intracerebroventricular infusion of HA (270 nmol), the H1-receptor agonist 2-thiazolylethylamine or the H2-receptor agonist 4-methylhistamine increased the level of CRH mRNA in the PVN, and OT mRNA in the SON. In contrast, none of these compounds had any effect on expression of AVP mRNA in the PVN or SON. Administration of the H1-receptor antagonist mepyramine or the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine had no effect on basal expression of CRH, AVP or OT mRNA in the PVN and/or SON except for a slight inhibitory effect of cimetidine on CRH mRNA expression in the PVN. Pretreatment with mepyramine or cimetidine before HA administration inhibited the HA-induced increase in OT mRNA levels but had no effect on the HA-induced increase in CRH mRNA levels in the PVN. We conclude that HA stimulates hypothalamic CRH and OT neurons by increasing mRNA levels, and this effect seems to be mediated via activation of both HA H1 and H2 receptors.

Detailed mapping of the histamine H2 receptor and its gene transcripts in guinea-pig brain.

Autoradiographic studies of the distribution of the histamine H2 receptor and its messenger RNAs were performed on serial frontal and a few sagittal sections of guinea-pig brain using [(125)I]iodoaminopotentidine for radioligand binding and a 33P-labelled complementary RNA probe for in situ hybridization, respectively. Both probes were validated by assessing non-specific labelling using non-radioactive competing H2 receptor ligands and a sense probe for binding sites and gene transcripts, respectively. In some areas, e.g., cerebral cortex, hippocampal complex or cerebellum, such studies were completed by identification of neurons expressing the H2 receptor messenger RNAs on emulsion-dipped sections. Nissl-stained sections from comparable levels were used to localize brain structures. In many brain areas, the distribution of the H2 receptor and its messenger RNAs appeared to parallel that known for histaminergic axons. For instance. high levels of both H2 receptor markers were detected in striatal and limbic areas known to receive abundant histaminergic projections. In contrast, in septum, hypothalamic, pontine and several thalamic nuclei, a comparatively low density of both H2 receptor markers was detected, suggesting that histamine actions in these areas are mediated by H1 and/or H3 receptors. Generally, the distribution of H2 receptor messenger RNA correlates well with that of [(125)I]iodoaminopotentidine binding sites, although some differences were observed. In a few regions (e.g., substantia nigra, locus coeruleus) high or moderate densities of binding sites were accompanied by a much more restricted expression of H2 receptor transcripts. Conversely, the mammillary region and the pontine nucleus exhibited higher levels of hybridization than of binding sites. In hippocampus, cerebral and cerebellar cortex there was a selective localization of the H2 receptor messenger RNA in the granule cells of dentate gyrus, pyramidal cells of the Ammon's horn and cerebral cortex, and Purkinje cells of cerebellum, whereas [(125)I]iodoaminopotentidine binding sites were located in layers where the dendritic trees of these messenger RNA-expressing neurons extend. The same discrepancy between messenger RNAs and binding sites suggests that striatonigral endings are endowed with the H2 receptor. The histamine H1 and H2 receptors both appear to be present in several brain areas, in some cases in a way suggesting their potential co-expression by the same neuronal populations, e.g., in granule and pyramidal cells in the hippocampal formation. This co-expression accounts for synergic responses, e.g., on cAMP generation, previously observed upon co-stimulation of both receptor subtypes. The widespread distribution of the H2 receptor, namely in thalamic nuclei or in telencephalic areas such as most layers of the cerebral cortex, together with its excitatory role previously established in electrophysiological studies, support its alleged function in mediating the histamine-driven control of arousal mechanisms. In addition, the detection of H2 receptor expression in brainstem areas from which other monoaminergic pathways involved in the control of states of sleep and wakefulness emanate, e.g., several raphe nuclei, locus coeruleus or substantia innominata, suggests possible interrelationships between all of these systems with highly divergent projections to the thalamus and telencephalon. The present mapping of the H2 receptor and its gene transcripts should facilitate neurochemical, neurophysiological and behavioural studies aimed at clarifying the role of histaminergic systems in brain.

Role of hypothalamic histaminergic neurons in mediation of ACTH and beta-endorphin responses to LPS endotoxin in vivo.

The involvement of hypothalamic histaminergic neurons in the mediation of the ACTH and beta-endorphin (beta-END) response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin was investigated in conscious male rats. LPS stimulated the release of ACTH and beta-END dose-dependently and increased the hypothalamic concentration of the histamine (HA) metabolite tele-methylhistamine significantly and that of HA slightly, indicating an increased turnover of neuronal HA. Pretreatment with the HA synthesis inhibitor alpha-fluoromethyl-histidine administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) inhibited the ACTH and beta-END response to LPS about 60%, whereas i.p. administration of the H3 receptor agonist R(alpha)methylHA, which inhibits HA synthesis and release, decreased the response about 50%. Pretreatment with the H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine (67 micrograms x 2 i.c.v.) inhibited the hormone response to LPS about 50%, while pretreatment with equimolar doses of the H2 receptor antagonists cimetidine (67 micrograms x 2 i.c.v.) or ranitidine (83 micrograms x 2 i.c.v.) had no effect on the LPS-induced release of ACTH and beta-END. When the H1 receptor antagonists mepyramine and cetirizine were administered i.p. in doses (10 mg/kg) which penetrate the blood-brain barrier the hormone response to LPS was inhibited 50% and 30%, respectively. Administered i.p. the H2 receptor antagonists had no effect on the hormone response to LPS. We conclude that hypothalamic histaminergic neurons in rats are involved in the mediation of the ACTH and beta-END response to LPS stimulation via activation of central postsynaptic H1 receptors.

Dehydration-induced release of vasopressin involves activation of hypothalamic histaminergic neurons.

The hypothalamic neurotransmitter histamine (HA) induces arginine vasopressin (AVP) release when administered centrally. We studied and characterized this effect of HA with respect to receptor involvement. In addition, we studied the possible role of hypothalamic histaminergic neurons in the mediation of a physiological stimulus (dehydration) for AVP secretion. Intracerebroventricular administration of HA, the H1-receptor agonists 2(3-bromophenyl)HA and 2-thiazolylethylamine, or the H2-receptor agonists amthamine or 4-methyl-HA stimulated AVP secretion. The stimulatory action of HA on AVP was inhibited by pretreatment with the H1-receptor antagonist mepyramine or the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine. Twenty-four hours of dehydration elevated the plasma osmolality from 298 +/- 3 to 310 +/- 3 mmol/liter and increased the plasma AVP concentration 4-fold. The hypothalamic content of HA and its metabolite tele-methyl-HA was elevated in response to dehydration, indicating an increased synthesis and release of hypothalamic HA. Dehydration-induced AVP secretion was lowered when neuronal HA synthesis was inhibited by the administration of (S) alpha-fluoromethylhistidine or when the animals were pretreated with the H3-receptor agonist R(alpha)methylhistamine, which inhibits the release and synthesis of HA, the H1-receptor antagonists mepyramine and cetirizine, or the H2-receptor antagonists cimetidine and ranitidine. We conclude that HA, via activation of both H1- and H2-receptors, stimulates AVP release and that HA is a physiological regulator of AVP secretion.

Histamine H2-receptors participate in the formation of brain edema induced by kainic acid in rat thalamus.

At 4 h after the intraperitoneal administration of kainic acid in a dose of 12 mg/kg, Evans blue extravasation was observed preferentially in the thalamus, accompanied by increases in the water and sodium contents and by a decrease in the potassium content. Subcutaneous pretreatment with a histamine H2-receptor blocking agent, ranitidine, in a dose of 5 mg/kg given 2 h before and at the time of kainic acid injection, partially decreased the edema formation in the thalamus. It is assumed that repetitive discharges evoked by the kainic acid result in the thalamus in an excessive release of histamine from internal (mast cell and neuronal) sources and that this leads to the activation of H2-receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase in the brain microvessels and to the induction of brain edema.

Suppression of gastric H2-receptor mediated function in patients with bronchial asthma and ragweed allergy.

We have previously demonstrated a depression of airway, vascular, and cutaneous H2-histamine receptor function in sheep with experimental allergic asthma. In the present investigation, we wished to determine if there is a depression of gastric H2-receptor function in subjects with allergic bronchial asthma. In eight normal subjects and seven subjects with allergic bronchial asthma and bronchial reactivity to ragweed antigen, gastric H2-receptor function was assessed by measuring basal and maximal stimulated acid output following pretreatment with a placebo or the H2-antagonist, cimetidine. Maximal stimulated acid output was defined as the peak acid output (PAW mEq/hr) of hydrochloric acid following a subcutaneous injection of histalog (1.5 mg/kg), and selective H2-stimulation as delta PAO = PAOplacebo-PAOcimetidine. While basal acid output was not different between the two groups, mean (+/- SD) PAO was significantly lower in the asthmatic group (14.0 +/- 8.2 mEq/hr) than the normal group (27.9 +/- 9.4 mEq/hr) (p less than 0.01). Mean PAO expressed as percent of predicted maximum was 112 +/- 36 percent in the normal group and 61 +/- 34 percent in the asthmatic group (p less than 0.01). Mean delta PAO was significantly higher in the normal group (17.1 +/- 4.8 mEq/hr) than in the asthmatic group (7.0 +/- 5.3 mEq/hr) (p less than 0.005) indicating suppressed selective H2-receptor stimulation in the latter. We conclude that in subjects with bronchial asthma and marked bronchial hyperreactivity to ragweed antigen, there is a depression of gastric H2-histamine receptor function.

Pharmacophysiology of atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is clearly characterized by altered cutaneous physiologic responses. There is a tendency to acral vasoconstriction. Rubbing causes skin pallor and white dermographism. Vascular instability is demonstrated by responses to cholinergic agents, histamine, and nicotinates. Psychophysiologic studies demonstrate exaggerated vasodilator responses to emotional stress with consequent pruritus and scratching. The itch threshold is low, duration is prolonged, and nighttime scratching movements may be frequent or almost continuous. Regardless of the inciting trigger factors, the scratching causes the damage and the severe dermatitis. Thermal as well as emotional stimuli to sweating cause severe itching in AD, yet the concept of a miliaria-type, poral occlusion mechanism remains unproven. Some studies suggest actually increased sweating along with erythema and pruritus during acute flares of AD. The concept of sweat-borne allergens causing skin reactions during sweating is interesting but has never been proven. Studies of sweat responses to pharmacologic agents have produced conflicting data, and attempts to link these responses to Szentivanyi's beta-adrenergic blockade theory are not convincing. The numerous variables of climate, season, sex, age, and habitus affect sweating greatly. Future studies must carefully control for each of these factors before pharmacologically induced sweat responses can be interpreted clearly. A number of lines of evidence suggest involvement of histamine and other mediators in the evolution of erythema, pruritus, and scratching in AD. Flares of the condition have been reproducibly evoked by only two incitants: experimental emotional stress interviews and specific food challenge in selected sensitive individuals. In the latter, increased plasma histamine has been demonstrated, presumably generated by antigen/IgE stimulated degranulation of mast cells in the gut and/or skin. The demonstrated increased histamine releasability of basophils from atopic individuals may be the result of defective cellular regulatory mechanisms. Recent studies have demonstrated increased cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase activity in leukocytes from atopic individuals. The resultant decreased intracellular cyclic AMP removes an inhibitory factor, which in turn causes net cellular hyperresponsiveness. This effect has been shown to account, at least in part, for increased histamine release from leukocytes of patients with AD. These and other studies focused upon cell functional regulation are providing better understanding of basic biochemical abnormalities and may lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in managing atopic disease.

Regulatory influence of histamine receptor activation and inhibition on the synthesis and level of hypothalamic histamine.

The blockade of histamine receptors by repeated i.p. administration of 10-20 mg/kg of chloropyramine and tripelennamine, the potent H1-receptor antagonists, or by the i.c.v. administration of 2 mg/kg of metiamide and cimetidine, the highly selective H2-receptor antagonists, led to significant enhancement in the hypothalamic HD2(L-histidine carboxylase; EC 4.1.1.22.) activity and the histamine content; whereas the activation of the histamine H1-receptor by 4 mg/kg i.e.v. doses of 2-pyridylethylamine, the specific histamine H1 agonist, resulted in significant diminution in both the synthesis and level of this amine. These compounds either do not influence the hypothalamic HD in vitro or cause opposite effects in relatively high concentrations. After repeated administration of either agonists or antagonists, no significant alteration have been observed in the hypothalamic HNMT (histamine-N-methyl-transferase; EC 2.1.1.8.) activity. There were, however, two exceptions: 2 mg/kg i.c.v. doses of 2-methylhistamine and 4-methylhistamine produced remarkable inhibitions in the hypothalamic HNMT activity. These effects do not seem to correspond to the agonistic character of the compounds, but mask the indirect actions and create difficulties in the discovery of regulatory events. The regulatory influence which suppresses or stimulates the basal activity of HD under the activation or the inhibition of the functional state of histamine receptor, is assumed to be mediated through the cyclic AMP system.

Effect of histamine H1- and H2-receptor agonists on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in hypothalamus and striatum of the rat brain.

The intraventricular administration of histamine in a dose of 500 microgram, and two histamine H2-receptor agonists i.e. 50-250 microgram of dimaprit and 100 microgram of 4-methylhistamine decreased GABA level after 30 min (by approximately 20%) in the hypothalamus, but not in the striatum of the rat brain. The level of GABA was significantly reduced by 100 microgram of dimaprit after 2 h. Drugs selectively stimulating histamine H1-receptor (100 microgram) did not significantly change GABA concentration of the rat hypothalamus. The results suggest the existence of an H2-receptor--mediated histamine--GABA interaction in the rat hypothalamus.

Are histamine H2-receptor depressions of neuronal activity in tissue cultures from rat hypothalamus mediated through cyclic adenosine monophosphate?

Iontophoretic application of histamine H2-agonists depressed spontaneous firing of tuberal hypothalamic neurons in tissue culture. Perfusion with inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase increased the strength of these depressions, which persisted during perfusion with Ca2+-free medium. These results support a role of cyclic AMP as a mediator of histamine H2-elicited depressions of neuronal activity.