Molecular mechanism of antihistamines recognition and regulation of the histamine H1 receptor.

Histamine receptors are a group of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that play important roles in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Antihistamines that target the histamine H1 receptor (H1R) have been widely used to relieve the symptoms of allergy and inflammation. Here, to uncover the details of the regulation of H1R by the known second-generation antihistamines, thereby providing clues for the rational design of newer antihistamines, we determine the cryo-EM structure of H1R in the apo form and bound to different antihistamines. In addition to the deep hydrophobic cavity, we identify a secondary ligand-binding site in H1R, which potentially may support the introduction of new derivative groups to generate newer antihistamines. Furthermore, these structures show that antihistamines exert inverse regulation by utilizing a shared phenyl group that inserts into the deep cavity and block the movement of the toggle switch residue W4286.48. Together, these results enrich our understanding of GPCR modulation and facilitate the structure-based design of novel antihistamines.

Formulation and assessment of hydroxyzine HCL solid lipid nanoparticles by dual emulsification technique for transdermal delivery.

Hydroxyzine HCL (HHCL) is an antihistamine, used for the treatment of allergic skin conditions. The purpose of this study was to achieve a dual phase drug delivery rate across the intact skin, to enhance HHCL permeation through the stratum corneum, to assess the peripheral H1-antihistaminic activity and the extent to which HHCL was systemically absorbed from transdermal gel loaded with solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), as well as to avoid its extreme bitterness. According to 23 factorial design, eight formulations of HHCL-SLNs were prepared by the double emulsification method. Lipid type (XA), surfactant concentration (XB) and co-surfactant concentration (XC) were the independent variables. All formulations were characterized for their surface morphology, particle size, entrapment efficiency and in-vitro drug release study. The optimized formula that provides greater desirability was then incorporated into the transdermal gel. In addition, the efficacy of the developed gel was tested in-vivo using 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene induced atopic dermatitis as lesion model in mice. F4 showed an average diameter 111 nm ± 0.03, zeta potential - 30 MV ± 2.4 and EE 75.2% ± 4.4. TEM images showed spherical, smooth morphology with uniform particles distribution. In-vivo study demonstrated potent antipruritic efficacy of transdermal gel in atopic dermatitis such as induced lesions compared to HHCL gel. Hence, HHCL solid lipid nanoparticles transdermal gel may be considered as potential for delivery of HHCL and alternatively to traditional oral use.

Histamine H1 receptor antagonists selectively kill cisplatin-resistant human cancer cells.

Cancer therapy is often hampered by the disease's development of resistance to anticancer drugs. We previously showed that the autonomously upregulated product of fibroblast growth factor 13 gene (FGF13; also known as FGF homologous factor 2 (FHF2)) is responsible for the cisplatin resistance of HeLa cisR cells and that it is likely responsible for the poor prognosis of cervical cancer patients treated with cisplatin. Here we show that cloperastine and two other histamine H1 receptor antagonists selectively kill HeLa cisR cells at concentrations that little affect parental HeLa S cells. The sensitivity of HeLa cisR cells to cloperastine was abolished by knocking down FGF13 expression. Cisplatin-resistant A549 cisR cells were similarly susceptible to cloperastine. H2, H3, and H4 receptor antagonists showed less or no cytotoxicity toward HeLa cisR or A549 cisR cells. These results indicate that histamine H1 receptor antagonists selectively kill cisplatin-resistant human cancer cells and suggest that this effect is exerted through a molecular mechanism involving autocrine histamine activity and high-level expression of FGF13. We think this represents a potential opportunity to utilize H1 receptor antagonists in combination with anticancer agents to treat cancers in which emergent drug-resistance is preventing effective treatment.

Roles of Lys191 and Lys179 in regulating thermodynamic binding forces of ligands to determine their binding affinity for human histamine H1 receptors.

Docking simulations based on the crystal structure of human histamine H1 receptors have predicted crucial roles of Lys1915.39 and Lys179ECL2, which exist at the entrance of the ligand-binding pocket, in increasing the H1-receptor selectivity for carboxylated second-generation antihistamines via electrostatic interaction. In this study, we evaluated the roles of Lys1915.39 and Lys179ECL2 in regulating the thermodynamic binding forces of non-carboxylated and carboxylated antihistamines that determine their binding affinity for human H1 receptors. The binding enthalpy and entropy of the 3 sets of non-carboxylated and corresponding carboxylated antihistamines (doxepin and olopatadine, desloratadine and loratadine, and terfenadine and fexofenadine, respectively) were estimated using the van't Hoff equation with the dissociation constants obtained from the displacement curves of the non-carboxylated and carboxylated antihistamines against the binding of [3H]mepyramine to the membrane preparations of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human H1 receptors at various temperatures, ranging from 4 °C to 37 °C. We found that the affinity for carboxylated antihistamines was lower than that for the corresponding non-carboxylated compounds due to lower enthalpy-dependent electrostatic binding forces and/or entropy-dependent hydrophobic binding forces. Mutations of Lys1915.39 and/or Lys179ECL2 to alanine mostly increased the binding affinity for antihistamines due to a variety of changes in both enthalpy- and entropy-dependent binding forces. These results suggest that Lys1915.39 and Lys179ECL2 may not contribute to selectively increasing the binding affinity for carboxylated antihistamines via electrostatic interaction, but that they can negatively modulate the binding affinity for non-carboxylated and carboxylated antihistamines non-selectively by affecting their electrostatic as well as hydrophobic binding forces.

Cell-based, animal and H1 receptor binding studies relative to the sedative effects of ketotifen and norketotifen atropisomers.

OBJECTIVES: Ketotifen (K) and its active metabolite norketotifen (N) exist as optically active atropisomers. They both have antihistaminic and anti-inflammatory properties but the S-atropisomer of N (SN) causes less sedation than K and RN in rodents. This study investigated whether this could be related to a lower concentration of SN in brain or a lower affinity of SN for rat brain H1 receptors. METHODS: Ketotifen and norketotifen atropisomers were quantified using a validated chiral HPLC assay. RBE4 and Caco-2 cell monolayers were used in uptake and permeability studies, respectively. Free and total brain-to-plasma (B/P) ratios were determined after injecting racemic K and N into rat tail veins. Affinity for rat brain H1 receptors (KI ) was determined using the [3 H]mepyramine binding assay. KEY FINDINGS: Uptake and permeation studies indicate no stereoselective transport for K or N. B/P ratios reveal the brain concentration of N is lower than K with no stereoselective transport into brain. Finally, the [3 H]mepyramine binding assay shows SN has the lowest affinity for rat brain H1 receptors. CONCLUSION: The lower sedative effect of SN in rodents is probably due to a combination of a lower uptake of N than K into the brain and less affinity of SN for CNS H1 receptors.

Pharmacokinetics of hydroxyzine and cetirizine following oral administration of hydroxyzine to exercised Thoroughbred horses.

Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine and cetirizine, a second-generation antihistamine and active metabolite of hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine is commonly used in performance horses and as such its use in closely regulated; however, there are no published studies suitable for establishing appropriate regulatory recommendations. In the current study, 12 exercised Thoroughbred research horses received a single oral administration of 500 mg of hydroxyzine. Blood and urine samples were collected prior to and up to 96 hr postdrug administration and concentrations of hydroxyzine and cetirizine determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A joint parent/metabolite population 2-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order absorption and elimination was utilized to describe the pharmacokinetics of both compounds. Serum hydroxyzine and cetirizine concentrations were above the limit of quantitation (0.1 ng/ml) of the assay at 96 hr (the last time point sampled). The terminal half-life was 7.41 and 7.13 hr for hydroxyzine and cetirizine, respectively. Findings from this study suggest that a prolonged withdrawal time should be observed if this compound is used in performance administered to performance horses and is classified as prohibited substance by the applicable regulatory body.

Involvement of histamine H1 and H2 receptor inverse agonists in receptor's crossregulation.

Histamine [2-(4-Imidazolyl)-ethylamine] modulates different biological processes, through histamine H1 and H2 receptors, and their respective blockers are widely used in treating allergic and gastric acid-related disorders. Histamine H1 and H2 receptor crossdesensitization and cointernalization induced by its agonists have been previously described. In this study, we show how this crosstalk determines the response to histamine H1 and H2 receptor inverse agonists and how histamine H1 and H2 receptor inverse agonists interfere with the other receptor's response to agonists. By desensitization assays we demonstrate that histamine H1 and H2 receptor inverse agonists induce a crossregulation between both receptors. In this sense, the histamine H1 receptor inverse agonists desensitize the cAMP response to amthamine, a histamine H2 receptor agonist. In turn, histamine H2 receptor inverse agonists interfere with histamine H1 receptor signaling. We also determine that the crossdesensitization induced by histamine H1 or H2 receptor agonists alters the histamine inverse agonists receptor response: activation of histamine H1 receptor affects cAMP response induced by histamine H2 receptor inverse agonists, whereas histamine H2 receptor agonist induces a negative regulation on the anti-inflammatory response of histamine H1 receptor inverse agonists. Binding studies revealed that histamine H1 and H2 receptors cointernalize after stimulus with histamine receptor inverse agonists. In addition, the inhibition of the internalization process prevents receptor crossregulation. Our study provides new insights in the mechanisms of action of histamine H1 and H2 receptors that explain the effect of histamine H1 and H2 receptor inverse agonists and opens up new venues for novel therapeutic applications.

Multi-Layer Self-Nanoemulsifying Pellets: an Innovative Drug Delivery System for the Poorly Water-Soluble Drug Cinnarizine.

Beside their solubility limitations, some poorly water-soluble drugs undergo extensive degradation in aqueous and/or lipid-based formulations. Multi-layer self-nanoemulsifying pellets (ML-SNEP) introduce an innovative delivery system based on isolating the drug from the self-nanoemulsifying layer to enhance drug aqueous solubility and minimize degradation. In the current study, various batches of cinnarizine (CN) ML-SNEP were prepared using fluid bed coating and involved a drug-free self-nanoemulsifying layer, protective layer, drug layer, moisture-sealing layer, and/or an anti-adherent layer. Each layer was optimized based on coating outcomes such as coating recovery and mono-pellets%. The optimized ML-SNEP were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), in vitro dissolution, and stability studies. The optimized ML-SNEP were free-flowing, well separated with high coating recovery. SEM showed multiple well-defined coating layers. The acidic polyvinylpyrrolidone:CN (4:1) solution presented excellent drug-layering outcomes. DSC and XRD confirmed CN transformation into amorphous state within the drug layer. The isolation between CN and self-nanoemulsifying layer did not adversely affect drug dissolution. CN was able to spontaneously migrate into the micelles arising from the drug-free self-nanoemulsifying layer. ML-SNEP showed superior dissolution compared to Stugeron® tablets at pH 1.2 and 6.8. Particularly, on shifting to pH 6.8, ML-SNEP maintained > 84% CN in solution while Stugeron® tablets showed significant CN precipitation leaving only 7% CN in solution. Furthermore, ML-SNEP (comprising Kollicoat® Smartseal 30D) showed robust stability and maintained > 97% intact CN within the accelerated storage conditions. Accordingly, ML-SNEP offer a novel delivery system that combines both enhanced solubilization and stabilization of unstable poorly soluble drugs.

Formulation Development and Evaluation of Diphenhydramine Nasal Nano-Emulgel.

The aim of present study is to formulate diphenhydramine nasal nano-emulgels, having lipophilic nano-sized interior droplets, with better penetration for targeted controlled delivery to mucous membrane. Different diphenhydramine (DPH) nasal nano-emulgels were developed having propylene glycol and olive oil (as permeation enhancers) by using RSM for optimization and then evaluated for physico-chemical characteristics and thermal stability. In-vitro drug release through cellophane membrane was conducted and results were analyzed statistically. Further, gelation, mucoadhesive stress, and ex-vivo and histopathological studies were performed on optimized formulation by using goat nasal membrane. Among all formulations, E2 showed maximum DPH release at higher concentration olive oil (4%) and lower concentration propylene glycol (PG) (25%) within 4 h. All formulations have followed first-order kinetics and drug release mechanism was Fickian diffusion. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA) were used to compare results among formulations and 3D surface plots were constructed also. Optimized formulation showed immediate prolong gelation in artificial nasal mucosa and excellent mucoadhesive property (72.5 ± 1.5 dynes/cm2). Approximately 97.1% optimized formulation was permeated through membrane within 4 h, having a high flux rate (33.19 ± 0.897 µg/cm2/min) with diffusion coefficient (0.000786 ± 4.56 × 10-5 cm2/min) while drug contents remained on mucosal membrane for 24 h. Histopathologically, change on intra-mucosal surface of excised membrane was observed due to passage of drug through it. In summary, combination of PG and olive oil in nasal DPH nano-emulgel can be utilized successfully for targeted controlled delivery. The optimized formulation has excellent permeability and prolonged residence time on mucosal surface, which prove its good anti-histaminic activity in case of allergic rhinitis.

Development of novel fluorescent histamine H1-receptor antagonists to study ligand-binding kinetics in living cells.

The histamine H1-receptor (H1R) is an important mediator of allergy and inflammation. H1R antagonists have particular clinical utility in allergic rhinitis and urticaria. Here we have developed six novel fluorescent probes for this receptor that are very effective for high resolution confocal imaging, alongside bioluminescence resonance energy transfer approaches to monitor H1R ligand binding kinetics in living cells. The latter technology exploits the opportunities provided by the recently described bright bioluminescent protein NanoLuc when it is fused to the N-terminus of a receptor. Two different pharmacophores (mepyramine or the fragment VUF13816) were used to generate fluorescent H1R antagonists conjugated via peptide linkers to the fluorophore BODIPY630/650. Kinetic properties of the probes showed wide variation, with the VUF13816 analogues having much longer H1R residence times relative to their mepyramine-based counterparts. The kinetics of these fluorescent ligands could also be monitored in membrane preparations providing new opportunities for future drug discovery applications.

Intra-vermis H4 receptor agonist impairs performance in anxiety- and fear-mediated models.

The neural histaminergic system modulates cognitive performance in various animal models. However, little is known about the effects of the H4 histaminergic receptor in the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of histaminergic H4 agonist VUF-8430 microinjection into the cerebellar vermis on the consolidation of emotional memory in mice subjected to the elevated plus maze (EPM) and inhibitory avoidance task (IAT). All experiments were performed on two consecutive days: exposure (T1 and D1) and 24h after, which we called re-exposure (T2 and D2). The animals received saline (SAL) or VUF (0.15 nmol; 0.49 nmol; 1.48 nmol/0.1µl) administered post-exposure. Experiment 1 was conducted in the EPM, and the animals were free to explore the maze for 5min. In T1, immediately after exposure, the pharmacological treatment was given; in T2, there was only re-exposure to the EPM. Experiment 2 involved the IAT, and the pharmacological treatment was provided post-D1; in D2, the animals were only re-exposed to the IAT. In Experiment 1, increased open arm exploration (% open arm entries and% open arms time) for 0.49 and 1.48nmol of VUF were recorded in T2 compared to T1. In Experiment 2, a significant decrease in consolidation latency was recorded for the group that received 1.48nmol of VUF compared to the SAL group in D2. These results indicate that a 1.48nmol VUF microinjection into the cerebellar vermis impaired performance in both models, even though one model was anxiety-mediated (EPM) and the other was fear-mediated (IAT).

Second generation H1 - antihistamines interaction with food and alcohol-A systematic review.

Histamine is a mediator of many physiological processes. It plays an important role in modulating allergy reactions and immune system responses. H1 receptor is a therapeutic target for drugs applied in allergic diseases such as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, urticarial, or atopic dermatitis. H1-antihistamines display different chemical structures, pharmacokinetics and a potential for drug-drug and drug-food interactions. Drug-food interactions are known to reduce therapeutic effects of the medicine, as well as to induce a potent adverse drug reactions. Considering it all, a systematic review was conducted to investigate the importance of drug-food interaction for H1-antihistamine drugs. As non-sedating second generation H1-antihistamines remain to be drugs of choice in treating allergic conditions, the review has been focused on this particular class of medicines. The aim of this paper is to examine the evidence of food-drug and food-alcohol interactions for second generation H1-antihistamine drugs. A systematic literature queries were performed in the following databases: Medline (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science (all from their inception date till October 2016). The queries covered nine specific names of second generation anthistamine drugs, namely bilastine, cetirizine, desloratadine, ebastine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine, mizolastine, and rupatadine, in combinations with such terms as "food", "juice", "grapefruit", "fruits", "alcohol", "pharmacokinetics", and "meal". Additional publications were found by checking all the reference lists. Where none data on drug-food interaction could be found within the investigated databases, a specific drug prescribing information was used. 2326 publications were identified with the database queries. Articles were subjected to analysis by reviewing their title, abstract and full text; duplicated papers were removed. Having collected a complete set of data, a critical review was undertaken. For selected H1-antihistamines food, fruit juices or alcohol consumption may significantly impact the efficacy and safety of the therapy. This issue shall be well understood to educate patients properly, as it provides the major therapeutic element in allergic diseases.

Medical Findings and Toxicological Analysis in Infant Death by Balloon Gas Asphyxia: A Case Report.

In recent years, the increasing number of asphyxiation cases due to helium inhalation is remarkable. All described cases in the literature where diagnosed as suicide. In this article, however, we describe a triple infant homicide in which helium, as balloon gas, was administered to three young children after sedation causing asphyxiation and death through the medical findings and toxicological analysis. During autopsy, in addition to standard toxicological samples, gas samples from lungs as well as lung tissue itself were directly collected into headspace vials. Besides routine toxicological analysis, which revealed toxic levels of doxylamine, qualitative analysis on gas and lung samples was performed using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. As carrier gas, the commonly used helium was replaced by nitrogen. In gas samples from lungs of all three children, no helium was found. Nevertheless, lung tissue samples were found positive on helium. Therefore, sedation followed by asphyxia due to helium inhalation can strongly be assumed as the cause of death of all three children.

D-Optimal mixture design optimization of an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of commonly used antihistaminic parent molecules and their active metabolites in human serum and urine.

This study describes a specific, precise, sensitive and accurate method for simultaneous determination of hydroxyzine, loratadine, terfenadine, rupatadine and their main active metabolites cetirizine, desloratadine and fexofenadine, in serum and urine using meclizine as an internal standard. Solid-phase extraction method for sample clean-up and preconcentration of analytes was carried out using Phenomenex Strata-X-C and Strata X polymeric cartridges. Chromatographic analysis was performed on a Phenomenex cyano (150 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm) analytical column. A D-optimal mixture design methodology was used to evaluate the effect of changes in mobile phase compositions on dependent variables and optimization of the response of interest. The mixture design experiments were performed and results were analyzed. The region of ideal mobile phase composition consisting of acetonitrile-methanol-ammonium acetate buffer (40 mm; pH 3.8 adjusted with acetic acid): 18:36:46% v/v/v was identified by a graphical optimization technique using an overlay plot. While using this optimized condition all analytes were baseline resolved in <10 min. Solvent mixtures were delivered at 1.5 mL/min flow rate and analytes peaks were detected at 222 nm. The proposed bioanalytical method was validated according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The proposed method was sensitive with detection limits of 0.06-0.15 µg/mL in serum and urine samples. Relative standard deviation for inter- and intra-day precision data was found to be <7%. The proposed method may find application in the determination of selected antihistaminic drugs in biological fluids.

Structural Analysis of the Histamine H1 Receptor.

The crystal structure of the human histamine H1 receptor (H1R) has been determined in complex with its inverse agonist doxepin, a first-generation antihistamine. The crystal structure showed that doxepin sits deeply inside the ligand-binding pocket and predominantly interacts with residues highly conserved among other aminergic receptors. This binding mode is considered to result in the low selectivity of the first-generation antihistamines for H1R. The crystal structure also revealed the mechanism of receptor inactivation by the inverse agonist doxepin. On the other hand, the crystal structure elucidated the anion-binding site near the extracellular portion of the receptor. This site consists of residues not conserved among other aminergic receptors, which are specific for H1R. Docking simulation and biochemical experimentation demonstrated that a carboxyl group on the second-generation antihistamines interacts with the anion-binding site. These results imply that the anion-binding site is a key site for the development of highly selective antihistamine drugs.

Induction of Microglial Activation by Mediators Released from Mast Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Microglia are the resident immune cells in the brain and play a pivotal role in immune surveillance in the central nervous system (CNS). Brain mast cells are activated in CNS disorders and induce the release of several mediators. Thus, brain mast cells, rather than microglia, are the "first responders" due to injury. However, the functional aspects of mast cell-microglia interactions remain uninvestigated. METHODS: Conditioned medium from activated HMC-1 cells induces microglial activation similar to co-culture of microglia with HMC-1 cells. Primary cultured microglia were examined by flow cytometry analysis and confocal microscopy. TNF- alpha and IL-6 were measured with commercial ELISA kits. Cell signalling was analysed by Western blotting. RESULTS: In the present study, we found that the conditioned medium from activated HMC-1 cells stimulated microglial activation and the subsequent production of the pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6. Co-culture of microglia and HMC-1 cells with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) for 24, 48 and 72 hours increased TNF-α and IL-6 production. Antagonists of histamine receptor 1 (H1R), H4R, proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) or Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) reduced HMC-1-induced pro-inflammatory factor production and MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathway activation. CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that activated mast cells trigger microglial activation. Interactions between mast cells and microglia could constitute a new and unique therapeutic target for CNS inflammation-related diseases.

Physicochemical properties and mechanisms of drug release from melt-extruded granules consisting of chlorpheniramine maleate and Eudragit FS.

The objective of this research project was to characterize the drug release profiles, physicochemical properties and drug-polymer interaction of melt-extruded granules consisting of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) and Eudragit® FS. Melt extrusion was performed using a single screw extruder at a processing temperature of 65-75 °C. The melt extrudate was milled, blended with lactose monohydrate and then filled into hard gelatin capsules. Each capsule contained 300 mg CPM granules. The release of CPM was determined with the United States Pharmacopeia dissolution apparatus II using a three-stage dissolution medium testing in order to simulate the pH conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Pore structure, thermal properties and surface morphologies of CPM granules were studied using mercury and helium pycnometer, differential scanning calorimeter and scanning electron microscope. Sustained release of CPM over 10 h was achieved. The release of CPM was a function of drug loading and the size of the milled granules. The complexation between CPM and Eudragit® FS as the result of counterion condensation was observed, and the interaction was characterized using membrane dialysis and H(1) NMR techniques. In both 0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer pH 6.8, CPM was released via a diffusion mechanism and the release rate was controlled by the pore structure of the melt-extruded granules. In phosphate buffer pH 7.4, CPM release was controlled by the low pH micro-environment created by CPM, the pore structure of the granules and the in situ complexation between CPM and Eudragit® FS.

Effects of histamine H1 receptor signaling on glucocorticoid receptor activity. Role of canonical and non-canonical pathways.

Histamine H1 receptor (H1R) antagonists and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists are used to treat inflammatory conditions such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and asthma. Consistent with the high morbidity levels of such inflammatory conditions, these receptors are the targets of a vast number of approved drugs, and in many situations their ligands are co-administered. However, this drug association has no clear rationale and has arisen from clinical practice. We hypothesized that H1R signaling could affect GR-mediated activity, impacting on its transcriptional outcome. Indeed, our results show a dual regulation of GR activity by the H1R: a potentiation mediated by G-protein ßγ subunits and a parallel inhibitory effect mediated by Gαq-PLC pathway. Activation of the H1R by its full agonists resulted in a composite potentiating effect. Intriguingly, inactivation of the Gαq-PLC pathway by H1R inverse agonists resulted also in a potentiation of GR activity. Moreover, histamine and clinically relevant antihistamines synergized with the GR agonist dexamethasone to induce gene transactivation and transrepression in a gene-specific manner. Our work provides a delineation of molecular mechanisms underlying the widespread clinical association of antihistamines and GR agonists, which may contribute to future dosage optimization and reduction of well-described side effects associated with glucocorticoid administration.

Histamine H1 receptor occupancy by the new-generation antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine: a positron emission tomography study in healthy volunteers.

RATIONALE: Histamine H1 antagonists have hypnotic, appetite-promoting, and sedative side effects. Most second-generation antipsychotics have potent antagonistic effects on histamine H1 receptor (H1R). Positron emission tomography (PET) can measure the H1R occupancy (H1RO) in vivo, although there are no reports regarding antipsychotics. OBJECTIVES: We studied the H1RO of olanzapine and quetiapine in vivo with respect to their plasma concentrations and subjective drowsiness by performing human PET imaging studies with [(11)C]doxepin, a potent PET ligand of H1R. METHODS: Six healthy Japanese male volunteers were enrolled. Cross-randomized PET imaging was performed after a single oral administration of olanzapine (2.5 mg), quetiapine (25 mg), or placebo. PET data were analyzed by region of interest and voxel-by-voxel analysis. We concurrently measured plasma drug concentrations by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and evaluated subjective sleepiness. RESULTS: The binding potential ratios of olanzapine and quetiapine in the cerebral cortex were significantly lower than that of the placebo. The H1RO values of olanzapine and quetiapine in the cortex were approximately 61-80 and 56-81%, respectively. The binding potential ratios of the drugs were significantly lower than that of the placebo in the dorsolateral prefrontal and lateral temporal cortices, and anterior and posterior cingulate gyri. The H1RO values in the cortex were significantly correlated with subjective sleepiness but not plasma drug concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine and quetiapine have high H1RO values in the human brain under their clinical minimum doses. This study provides a foundation of the properties by which new-generation antipsychotics block the central histaminergic system in humans.

Interactions between histamine H1 receptor and its antagonists by using cell membrane chromatography method.

OBJECTIVES: A high histamine H1 receptor (H1 R) expression cell membrane chromatography (CMC) method was developed to investigate the affinity of ligands for H1 R. METHODS: The affinity of ligands for H1 R was evaluated by frontal analysis. Competition studies and molecular docking study were utilized to study the interactions that occurred at specific binding sites on H1 R. KEY FINDINGS: The KD values measured by frontal analysis were (8.72 ± 0.21) × 10(-7) M for azelastine, (9.12 ± 0.26) × 10(-7) M for cyproheptadine, (9.90 ± 0.18) × 10(-7) M for doxepin, (1.42 ± 0.13) × 10(-6) M for astemizole, (2.25 ± 0.36) × 10(-6) M for chlorpheniramine and (3.10 ± 0.27) × 10(-6) M for diphenhydramine. The results had a positive correlation with those from radioligand binding assay. The ability of displacement order measured on the binding sites occupied by doxepin was doxepin (KD , (2.95 ± 0.21) × 10(-8) M) > astemizole (KD , (5.03 ± 0.18) × 10(-7) M) > chlorpheniramine (KD , (1.27 ± 0.16) × 10(-6) M) > cyproheptadine (KD , (1.61 ± 0.27) × 10(-6) M), whose order met with the scores by molecular docking study. CONCLUSIONS: The studies showed CMC could be applied to investigate drug-receptor interactions.