Involvement of histamine receptors in mediation of histamine induced thermoregulatory response in rats

At there ambient air temperature range, the rectal temperature changes following infusion of histamine either into lateral ventricle (L.V.) or IVth ventricle (IVth V) were studied. At an ambient temperature range of 19-22 degrees C, hypothermia occurred following histamine infusion either into L.V. or IVth V. Hypothermia elicited from infusion of histamine into L.V. was prevented with pretreatment of H1-receptor blocker (mepyramine), but in case of IVth V, it was prevented with H2-receptor blocker(cimetidine). These H1 and H2-receptor antagonists were ineffective in preventing hypothermia following histamine infusion into either L.V. or IVth V, when the ambient air temperature was maintained low (11-13 degrees C).     

Antagonistic action of naloxone on central histamine receptors-stimulated corticosterone secretion in rats under stress

In rats under a mild stress of restraint the interaction between central opioid receptors and histaminergic stimulation of the pituitary-adrenocortical activity was investigated indirectly through corticosterone secretion. In order to avoid a possible direct action on adrenal glands, all the tested drugs were administered intracerebroventricularly (icv). Naloxone an opioid antagonist and cimetidine, a H2- and mepyramine a H1-receptor antagonists were given 15 min before histamine and histamine agonists. One hour after histaminergic drug injection the rats were restrained for 10 min and decapitated. Histamine, 2-pyridylethylamine (PEA), a histamine H1-receptor agonist, and 4-methylhistamine (MeHA) and dimaprit, H2-receptor agonists, significantly intensified the stress-induced increase in serum corticosterone levels. Naloxone, given alone icv or ip, did not substantially alter the stress-induced corticosterone response. Like mepyramine naloxone abolished the corticosterone response to PEA in stressed rats. Naloxone also decreased significantly, though not totally, the corticosterone response to MeHA, dimaprit and histamine, its efficiency being similar to that of cimetidine, a H2-receptor antagonist. These results suggest that in stressed rats central opioid receptors are considerably involved in the histamine H1-receptor - and, to a lesser degree, in the H2-receptor stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.     

Involvement of histamine H4 and H1 receptors in scratching induced by histamine receptor agonists in Balb C mice

The role of histamine H(1), H(2), H(3) and H(4) receptors in acute itch induced by histamine was investigated in female BalbC mice. Scratching was induced by intradermal injections of pruritogen into the back of the neck and "itch" assessed by quantifying the scratching evoked. Histamine (0.03-80 micromol), histamine-trifluoromethyl-toluidine (HTMT, H(1) agonist, 0.002-2 micromol), clobenpropit (H(4) agonist, H(3) antagonist, 0.002-0.6 micromol) and to a lesser extent imetit (H(3)/H(4) agonist, 0.03-3 micromol) all induced dose-dependent scratching. Dimaprit (H(2) agonist, 0.04-40 micromol) did not cause scratching. Mepyramine (H(1) antagonist, 20 mg kg(-1), i.p.) reduced scratching evoked by histamine and HTMT, but not that caused by H(3) or H(4) agonists. Thioperamide (H(3)/H(4) antagonist, 20 mg kg(-1), i.p.) reduced scratching induced by histamine, H(3) and H(4) agonists, but not that caused by HTMT. The non-sedating H(1) antagonist, terfenadine, also significantly reduced the scratching induced by the H(1) agonist, HTMT. Cimetidine (H(2) antagonist, 20 mg kg(-1), i.p.) did not affect histamine-induced scratching. These results indicate that activation of histamine H(4) receptors causes itch in mice, in addition to the previously recognised role for H(1) receptors in evoking itch. Histamine H(4) receptor antagonists therefore merit investigation as antipruritic agents.     

Activation of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons following central administration of histamine is mediated by H1 receptors

Summary The effect of intracerebroventricular administration of histamine on the activity of mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons was determined in male rats. The activity of these neurons was estimated by measuring: (1) the accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) after administration of a decarboxylase inhibitor, and (2) the concentration of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the nucleus accumbens and striatum, which contain the terminals of these neurons. Central administration of histamine increased both DOPA accumulation and DOPAC concentrations in the nucleus accumbens, but was without effect in the striatum. The increase in DOPAC concentrations in the nucleus accumbens occurred within 10 min and was sustained for at least 120 min. The H₁ antagonist mepyramine blocked whereas the H₂ antagonist zolantidine did not affect histamine-induced increases in DOPAC concentrations in the nucleus accumbens. Neither mepyramine nor zolantidine affected basal DOPAC concentrations in the nucleus accumbens. These results indicate that central administration of histamine stimulates mesolimbic DA neurons through an action at the H₁ receptor, but has no effect upon the activity of nigrostriatal DA neurons.Correspondence to A. E. Fleckenstein at the above address     

Mechanism of hematocrit increase induced by the combined administration of morphine and Adriamycin: Role of histamine release

The mechanism by which morphine interacts with Adriamycin to increase hematocrit has been investigated in mice. Treatment with Adriamycin (12.8 mg/kg, iv) or morphine (20 mg/kg, sc) resulted in slight increases in hematocrit 30 min postdose, while animals given sc morphine 30 min prior to iv Adriamycin exhibited significant increases in hematocrit as early as 1 min post-Adriamycin. The hematocrit increase reached maximal levels 12 min post-Adriamycin and returned to basal values 4 hr postdose. Splenectomizing animals prior to morphine and Adriamycin treatment had no effect on the drug-induced hematocrit increase. This indicates that red cell release from splenic contracture is not the mechanism for the hematocrit increase. Measurement of plasma histamine levels following drug treatment demonstrated a marked and rapid rise in plasma histamine levels reaching maximal values 1 min post-Adriamycin. Adriamycin alone triggered this release; however, morphine pretreatment resulted in a higher maximum and more prolonged elevation of plasma histamine levels. Treatment with pyrilamine (3.1-50 mg/kg, ip) prior to morphine and Adriamycin administration partially reversed drug-induced hematocrit increase and protected against resultant lethality. Cimetidine (50-200 mg/kg, ip) treatment was not effective. The temporal relationship between hematocrit and histamine increases suggests a cause/effect relationship between released histamine and hematocrit elevation. Protection by pyrilamine and not cimetidine further supports this cause/effect relationship and indicates the effects is mediated via histamine type 1 receptors.     

Increased fat consumption induced by morphine administration in rats

Patterns of caloric intakes and dietary self-selection of the three macronutrients, protein, fat and carbohydrate were examined in male rats following the administration of morphine sulfate (0.0, 1.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg, IP). Animals were given access to either ground Purina Chow or one of two dietary self-selection regimes, one with a high-fat ration (7.8 kcal/g) and the other with a fat ration isocaloric to the carbohydrate and protein rations (3.8 kcal/g). Animals received morphine injections at the beginning of a six-hour feeding period and nutrient intakes were measured at 1,2,4 and 6 hours postinjection. Similar patterns of macronutrient choice were observed for both animals maintained on the high-fat regime and animals with access to the isocaloric components following morphine injections. As a function of morphine injections, animals on both self-selection regimes increased fat intake while suppressing carbohydrate intake and exhibiting little modifications in protein intake.     

Involvement of histamine receptors in SAPK/JNK phosphorylation

Histamine is a mediator of inflammation in allergic disease and asthma. Stress activated protein kinases/c-jun N-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNK) are involved in asthma. This study examined the role of histamine receptors on the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK in splenocytes. C57BL/6 mice splenocytes were treated with histamine (10?? M to 10?11 M), and its selective receptor agonists, phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used as a positive control, and phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK was determined. Histamine (10?? M-10?? M) inhibited phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK. H1R agonist betahistine (10?? M) decreased SAPK/JNK phosphorylation and H2R agonist amthamine (10?? M) did not show any significant effect. However, H3R agonist methimepip (10?? M) and H4R agonist 4-methyl histamine (10?? M), increased SAPK/JNK phosphorylation. We used TNFα knockout mice to determine if histamine regulated SAPK/JNK phosphorylation via TNFα. While the effects of histamine and H1 agonists were similar to that of wild type mice in inhibiting the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK, the effects of H3 and H4 agonists differed in TNFα knockout mice splenocytes. Activation of H3 receptors decreased SAPK/JNK phosphorylation in TNFα knockout mice, as opposed to an increase in wild type mice, whereas H4 agonist did not show any significant effect on the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK. This data showed that histamine acting through H4 receptors caused the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK via TNFα. The role of H4 receptors in pro-inflammatory response is intriguing.     

Involvement of ventral noradrenergic bundle in corticosterone secretion following neural stimuli

In view of the involvement of noradrenaline (NA) in the regulation of adrenocortical secretion, its role in the rise of plasma corticosterone following neural stimuli was evaluated in rats. The injection of the catecholamine neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the ventral noradrenergic bundle in the brain stem, which projects to the hypothalamus, caused an average depletion of NA of 72% and 78% in the mediobasal hypothalamus and the paraventricular nuclei respectively, when compared to the rats injected with vehicle. In the animals injected with 6-OHDA, the basal level of corticosterone in plasma and the response to stress induced with ether were not affected. However, the adrenocortical discharge was very significantly inhibited following photic, acoustic and sciatic nerve stimulation. The present experiments support the results of previous studies on the stimulatory effect of NA on adrenocortical secretion.     

Involvement of glutamate and gamma-amino-butyric acid receptor systems on gastric acid secretion induced by activation of kappa-opioid receptors in the central nervous system in rats

1. Various neurotransmitters in the brain regulate gastric acid secretion. Previously, we reported that the central injection of kappa-opioid receptor agonists stimulated this secretion in rats. Although the existence of kappa(1)-kappa(3)-opioid receptor subtypes has been proposed, the character is not defined. We investigated the interactions between kappa-opioid receptor subtypes and glutamate, gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) or 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) receptors in the rat brain. 2. Gastric acid secretion induced by the injection of U69593 (8.41 nmol, a putative kappa(1)-opioid receptor agonist) into the lateral cerebroventricle was completely inhibited by the central injection of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 10.9 nmol, an antagonist for non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) receptors) and by bicuculline infusion (222 micro g kg(-1) per 10 min, i.v., GABA(A) receptor antagonist). The secretion induced by bremazocine (8.52 nmol, a putative kappa(2)-opioid receptor agonist) was inhibited by bicuculline infusion, but not by CNQX. The secretion induced by naloxone benzoylhydrazone (224 nmol, a putative kappa(3)-opioid receptor agonist) was slightly and partially inhibited by CNQX and bicuculline. 3. Treatment with CNQX and bicuculline inhibited gastric acid secretion induced by the injection of dynorphin A-(1-17) into the lateral, but not the fourth, cerebroventricle. Antagonists for NMDA, GABA(B) and 5-HT(2/1C) receptors did not inhibit the secretions by kappa-opioid receptor agonists. 4. In rat brain regions close to the lateral cerebroventricle, kappa-opioid receptor systems (kappa(1)>kappa(3)>kappa(2)) are regulated by the non-NMDA type of glutamate receptor system, and kappa(1)- and kappa(2)-opioid receptor systems are regulated by the GABA(A) receptor system. The present findings show pharmacological evidence for kappa-opioid receptor subtypes that regulate gastric acid secretion in the rat brain.     

Involvement of kappa opioid receptors in the inhibition of receptor desensitization and PKC activation induced by repeated morphine treatment

Analgesic tolerance to morphine can develop from long-term use of this drug for the treatment of pain. Many reports have shown that stimulation of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) suppresses development of analgesic tolerance to morphine. Here, we studied the KOR-mediated inhibition of morphine tolerance during repeated morphine treatment, with a focus on desensitization of the receptor. The development of analgesic tolerance to morphine during repeated morphine administration (10 mg kg(-1) s.c.) was completely suppressed by U-50488H (2 mg kg(-1) i.p.), a KOR agonist. The decrease in [35S] GTPgammaS binding activity stimulated by the mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonist [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) was also significantly inhibited by U-50488H. These results indicate that stimulation of KOR caused by repeated morphine treatment either inhibits MOR desensitization or accelerates recycling of MOR on the cell surface, thereby suppressing morphine tolerance. Furthermore, we found that activity of protein kinase C (PKC) was significantly decreased in mice treated with both U-50488H and morphine. These results suggest that the mechanisms underlying KOR-mediated inhibition of analgesic tolerance to morphine may be partly due to suppression of PKC activation and prevention of receptor desensitization.     

R-alpha-methylhistamine-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats via central histamine H3 receptors.

1. The effect of central H3 histamine receptor activation on gastric acid and pepsin production has been investigated in pylorus-ligated rats. 2. Intracerebroventricular injections (i.c.v.) of the selective H3 agonist, R-alpha-methylhistamine (0.5-50 nmol per rat) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of gastric acid secretion while intravenous administration (5-500 nmol per rat) was completely ineffective. 3. I.c.v. microinjections of mepyramine, tiotidine and thioperamide (51 nmol per rat), selective antagonists at H1-, H2- and H3-sites respectively, failed to modify the acid secretory response to pylorus ligation. 4. The antisecretory effect of R-alpha-methylhistamine (5 nmol per rat, i.c.v.) was selectively prevented by the H3-blocker, thioperamide (51 nmol per rat, i.c.v.), mepyramine and tiotidine pretreatment being completely inactive. 5. Unlike acid secretion, pepsin production was not significantly affected by all the tested compounds. 6. These findings provide the first pharmacological evidence that the activation of central H3 histamine receptors exerts a negative control in the regulation of gastric acid secretion in conscious pylorus-ligated rats.     

Involvement of different receptors in the central and peripheral effects of histamine on intestinal motility in the rat

The effects of histamine on intestinal motility have been investigated in conscious rats, fed or fasted, using an electromyographic method. Histamine peripherally administered (10 mg kg-1) in 15 h fasted rats induced an inhibition followed by a period of irregular spiking activity disrupting the duodenojejunal migrating myoelectric complexes (MMC) and suppressed the postprandial motor spiking activity when administered 50 min after a meal. The selective agonist of the H1-receptors, 2-pyridylethylamine (2-PEA) induced an irregular spiking activity while dimaprit acting on H2-receptors, inhibited the MMC pattern. Effects of peripherally administered histamine were antagonized by previous administration of chlorpheniramine (0.5 mg kg-1 i.p.) and in a lesser extent by cimetidine (10 mg kg-1 i.p.). Histamine (1-10 micrograms) administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) in fasted rats increased the motor cycle frequency and immediately restored the MMC pattern when given to fed rats. Among the three agonists of the H1- H2- and H3-receptors (2-PEA, dimaprit and R-alpha-methylhistamine, respectively) only R-alpha-methylhistamine (1-10 micrograms i.c.v.) was able to reproduce this effect. It is concluded that the effects of histamine on intestinal motility were centrally and peripherally mediated involving mainly H1-receptors at the peripheral level and H3-receptors at the CNS level.     

Role of central versus peripheral opioid receptors in analgesia induced by repeated administration of opioid antagonists

Although analgesia induced by blockade of opioid receptors has been well established, it is still unknown whether its development is mediated by the blockade of centrally located opioid receptors. Therefore, rats were treated with either systemically or ICV applied naloxone or quaternary naltrexone (QN), an opioid antagonist that does not easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Following antagonist administration, each animal was tested for paw lick latency on a 51° C hot plate. Hot plate testing and drug injections were carried out for 4 consecutive days. Rats treated with ICV microinjections of QN or naloxone displayed paw lick latencies that were significantly longer than those observed in control animals. In contrast, rats treated with SC injections of QN did not show any increase in paw lick latency, whereas rats treated with SC injections of naloxone displayed paw lick latencies that were significantly longer than those of control rats. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the blockade of central opioid receptors underlies the development of an analgesic response.     

Lipolytic responses induced by intracerebroventricular administration of histamine in the rat

Histamine (10-50 microgram) administered intraventricularly in conscious rats induced an increase in serum-free fatty acids. The maximum, significant increase appeared 30-60 min after administration. Histamine H1-receptor antagonists, mepyramine and chloropyramine, when injected 2 h prior to histamine, abolished considerably hyperlipaemic responses to histamine. H2-Receptor antagonists, metiamide and cimetidine, given i.c.v. only moderately diminished histamine-induced hyperlipaemia. Histamine injected i.c.v. also increased serum corticosterone levels considerably. This elevation was prevented significantly by the H1-receptor antagonist, mepyramine, but not by the H2-receptor blocker, cimetidine. It seems likely that histamine given i.c.v. induces lipolysis through the release of ACTH, one of the known lipid-mobilizing hormones. The central lipid-mobilizing mechanism after histamine depends more on activation of H1- than H2-receptors.     

Biphasic effects of intra-accumbens histamine administration on spontaneous motor activity in the rat; a role for central histamine receptors.

1. The effect of intra-accumbens injection of histamine and related compounds on the spontaneous motor activity of the rat has been investigated. 2. Microinjections of histamine (1-200 micrograms) induced dose-dependent, biphasic changes in rat activity consisting of an initial brief hypoactivity response followed by a marked hyperactivity phase. The histamine metabolite, n-tele-methylhistamine was without effect. 3. Pretreatment with the H1-receptor antagonist mepyramine (10 micrograms) blocked the hypoactivity response and markedly attenuated histamine-induced hyperactivity. In contrast, pretreatment with the H2-receptor antagonist SKF93479 had no effect on histamine-induced behaviour. 4. Microinjection of the H1-receptor agonist 2-thiazolylethylamine induced a marked hyperactivity response, but unlike the response to histamine, there was no initial hypoactivity. The H2-receptor agonist dimaprit had no apparent behavioural effects following intra-accumbens injection. 5. Intra-accumbens injection of the non-selective histamine agonists n alpha-methylhistamine or n alpha, n alpha-dimethylhistamine induced both marked hypoactivity and hyperactivity responses which were comparable with the effects of histamine. 6. The present results demonstrate a histamine, H1-receptor-mediated arousal in the nucleus accumbens which follows transitory hypoactivity, possibly due to activation of presynaptic H3-receptors.     

The involvement of central histamine receptors in stress-induced responses of serum corticosterone and free fatty acids and in gastric ulcer development

Mild stress of restraint for 10 min at an ambient temperature of 18 degrees C increased serum corticosterone levels in rats considerably. Histamine given intravenously prior to restraint alone significantly further intensified the stress-induced elevation of serum corticosterone. Dimaprit and cimetidine failed to modify corticosterone responses to the mild stress. Severe stress of restraint and cold of 3 h duration increased serum corticosterone and free fatty acid levels considerably. Histamine given prior to stress exposure left the corticosterone and hyperlipaemic responses to severe stress unchanged. Dimaprit inhibited and cimetidine intensified the stress-induced hyperlipaemia. The most striking finding in the present experiment was a powerful inhibition of gastric stress ulcer generation by intraventricularly administered histamine. Dimaprit was similarly effective. This strong anti-ulcer effect of histamine was abolished by intraventricular pretreatment of rats with either H1- or H2-receptor antagonists, chloropyramine or cimetidine. The results may suggest that in the rat a mild stress does not fully activate central histaminergic pathways involved in corticosterone responses. During severe stress histamine considerably prevents gastric ulcer generation and both H1- and H2-receptors mediate this action of histamine.     

Antagonism of central histamine H1 receptors by antipsychotic drugs.

The activity of 8 widely antipsychotic drugs as antagonists of central histamine H1 receptors was determined from the inhibition of the binding of 3H-mepyramine to a membrane fraction from guinea-pig brain. The phenothiazines examined, clorpromazine, fluphenazine, thioridazine and trifluoperazine, were all potent H1 antagonists. Both alpha- and beta-flupenthixol were potent inhibitors, but butaclamol, although less potent, showed stereospecificity. Haloperidol and spiperone were markedly weaker antihistamines than the phenothiazines.