In vivo release of neuronal histamine in the hypothalamus of rats measured by microdialysis

Summary Using an in vivo intracerebral microdialysis method coupled with an HPLC-fluorometric method, we investigated the extracellular level of endogenous histamine in the anterior hypothalamic area of urethaneanaesthetized rats. The basal rate of release of endogenous histamine in the anterior hypothalamic area measured by this method was 0.09 + 0.01 pmol/20 min. When the anterior hypothalamic area was depolarized by infusion of 100 mM K⁺ through the dialysis membrane or electrical stimulation at 200 A was applied through an electrode implanted into the ipsilateral tuberomammillary nucleus, histamine release increased to 175% and 188%, respectively, of the basal level. These increases were completely suppressed by removal of extracellular Ca²⁺. The basal release of histamine was also suppressed after infusion of 10^–6 M tetrodotoxin or i.p. administration of 100 mg/kg of -fluoromethylhistidine. On the other hand, 3-fold increase in the basal release was observed after i. p. administration of 5 mg/kg thioperamide. These results clearly indicate that both the basal and evoked release of histamine measured by our method are of neuronal origin.Send offprint requests to T. Mochizuki at the above address