Action of histamine and of some H2-antagonists on gastric secretion 'in vitro'

Effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists on rat gastric acid secretion: discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo data

The effects of the cannabinoid (CB)-receptor agonists WIN55,212-2 and HU-210 and the selective CB(1)-receptor antagonist SR141716A were tested on in vitro and in vivo acid secretion assays from the rat. In the isolated gastric fundus from immature rats, WIN55,212-2 (0.001-30 microM), HU-210 (0.001-10 microM), or SR141716A (0.1-10 microM) did not change the basal acid output or acid responses to histamine, pentagastrin, or electrical field stimulation. HU-210 (0.3 micromol/kg, intravenously) inhibited the acid response to pentagastrin in anesthetized adult, young, or immature rats with lumen-perfused stomachs; moreover, HU-210 reduced vagally induced acid secretion in adult animals, its antisecretory effect being reversed by SR141716A (0.65 micromol/kg, intravenously). In vitro and in vivo data indicate that CB(1) receptors are not located on parietal cells but, rather, on vagal pathways (possibly at preganglionic sites) supplying the gastric mucosa. The lack of effect of CB-receptor ligands in vitro cannot be ascribed to the use of immature rats, since HU-210 inhibited stimulated acid secretion in vivo, irrespective of the animal age.

SAR studies on H2 antagonists containing alkylamino substituted 1,2, 5-thiadiazole 1-oxide moieties

A number of ranitidine analogues in which the diamino-1,2,5-thiadiazole 1-oxide substructure bearing alkyl chains of different length is present as the urea equivalent group, were synthesised and studied for their lipophilic and H2 antagonist properties. Derivatives which displayed a logP < or = 3 behaved as competitive antagonists of histamine at H2 receptors present on guinea pig right atrium. The remaining more lipophilic members of the series showed an insurmountable antagonism not completely reversible after prolonged washing. A binding study suggested that an increase in the length of alkyl chain gave rise to hydrophobic interactions with the receptor which were responsible for the apparent irreversible H2 antagonism shown by the higher homologues of the series.

Cardiac and gastric effects of histamine H2 receptor antagonists: no evidence for a correlation between lipophilicity and receptor affinity

1. A series of histamine H2 receptor antagonists with different lipophilicity were tested in cardiac and gastric assays in order to reveal possible differences in receptor affinity. Lipophilicity of the compounds was expressed as CLOG P (theoretically-determined logarithm of octanol:water partition coefficient) and log k' (logarithm of capacity factor, experimentally-determined by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography). 2. Aminopotentidine (APT) and iodoaminopotentidine (I-APT), which are both lipophilic compounds, behaved as insurmountable antagonists of histamine responses in rat isolated gastric fundus (pKB = 6.20 +/- 0.16 and 6.89 +/- 0.19, respectively) and guinea-pig isolated papillary muscle (pKB = 6.34 +/- 0.37 and 6.81 +/- 0.26, respectively). They were approximately as effective as ranitidine (RAN) in reducing histamine-induced acid secretion in the anaesthetized rat, ID50 values being 0.018 +/- 0.02, 0.020 +/- 0.03 and 0.036 +/- 0.01 mumol kg-1 i.v. for APT, I-APT and RAN, respectively. Both APT and I-APT had a significantly longer duration of action than RAN. 3. The hydrophilic compound, SK&F 92857, was inactive up to 10 microM in modifying histamine-induced acid secretion in the isolated rat stomach. In the papillary muscle, low concentrations (0.1-1 microM) of this compound produced a competitive antagonism of the histamine responses (pA2 value = 7.38 +/- 0.11), while a higher concentration (10 microM) significantly reduced the maximal response to histamine. 4. RAN competitively antagonized histamine effects with a comparable affinity in cardiac and gastric preparations (pA2 values were 6.42 +/- 0.09 and 6.78 +/- 0.38 in heart and stomach, respectively). 5. Results obtained in this study clearly showed that the discrepancies between gastric and cardiac effects observed for some H2 antagonists are not explained solely by differences in lipophilicity of compounds. Moreover, the significant correlation found between CLOG P and log k' parameter, which takes into account, besides their lipophilicity, the ionization of the molecules, suggests that ionization has a similar influence for all the molecules on the partition between the lipophilic and aqueous phase.

Inhibitory effects of H2-receptor antagonists on cytochrome P450 in male ICR mice

1. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of H2-receptor antagonists including newly developed mifentidine derivatives, IY-80843 and IY-80845, on cytochrome P450(P450) in vitro and in vivo. 2. Initially, 3-methylcholanthrene-, phenobarbital-, ethanol- and dexamethasone-induced liver microsomes were prepared from male ICR mice to study in vitro effects of above chemicals on ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase(EROD), pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase(PROD), p-nitrophenol hydroxylase and erythromycin N-demethylase(ERDM) activities, respectively. It was found that histamine, cimetidine and famotidine were not inhibitory to four enzyme activities. Meanwhile, mifentidine slightly inhibited EROD and PROD activities and its derivatives IY-80843 and IY-80845 strongly inhibited PROD, EROD and ERDM activities. 3. Prolongation of hexobarbital-induced sleeping time was determined in male ICR mice to confirm in vitro inhibitory effects of mifentidine and its derivatives in vivo. It was observed that cimetidine, mifentidine, IY-80843 and IY-80845 caused dose-dependent increases in the sleeping time, indicating the inhibition of P450 responsible for hexobarbital metabolism. 4. It was concluded that mifentidine and its derivatives are P450 inhibitors and that our newly synthesized IY-80843 is most inhibitory. 5. The present results indicate that mifentidine and its derivatives not only antagonise the H2-receptor but also inhibit P450 enzymes.

The new potent and selective histamine H2 receptor agonist amthamine as a tool to study gastric secretion

The new histamine H2 receptor agonist amthamine, [2-amino-5-(2-aminoethyl)-4-methylthiazole], was tested for its activity on gastric acid secretion in different in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Amthamine induced a dose-related increase in acid secretion both in conscious cats with a gastric fistula (ED50 = 0.069 mumol/kg/h) and in anaesthetized rats with a lumen-perfused stomach (ED50 = 11.69 mumol/kg i.v.). In this last preparation the efficacy of amthamine was significantly higher than that of histamine and dimaprit. Amthamine was an effective secretagogue also in the rat isolated gastric fundus, behaving as a full agonist (EC50 = 18.9 mumol/l). In all the experimental models amthamine was more potent than dimaprit (from 3 to 10 fold) and approximately equipotent with histamine, and its effect was competitively antagonized by the histamine H2 receptor antagonists famotidine or ranitidine. Experiments with H1 and H3 receptor antagonists indicated that amthamine is devoid of stimulatory activity at H1 and H3 receptors. The present data indicate that amthamine is a full agonist at histamine H2 receptors and, being more effective and selective than the other compounds of the family, it may represent a good alternative to the other available histamine H2 receptor agonists for the study of gastric acid secretion.

Effect of substance P and related neurokinins on gastric acid secretion

Substance P and a series of related neurokinins having various degrees of selectivity for tachykinin receptors have been studied for their effects on gastric acid secretion both "in vitro" and "in vivo". In the isolated gastric fundus from immature rats, substance P, the C-terminal heptapeptide of neurokinin A, NKA (4-10), [Arg]NKB and two synthetic analogues of NKA (4-10), namely, [beta-Ala8]NKA (4-10) and [Ala5]NKA (4-10) (compounds marked Men 10210 and Men 10209, respectively) had no effect on spontaneous secretion but enhanced the secretory response to histamine. All the different neurokinins were effective in the range of concentrations 10(-7) - 10(-6) M. In the conscious cat with gastric fistula, substance P dose-dependently increased basal acid secretion, whereas Men 10210 was absolutely ineffective. Men 10209 caused a slight increase in acid output which, however, was only 10% of that induced by dimaprit or pentagastrin. The secretory effect of dimaprit and pentagastrin was not affected by the different neurokinins, conversely the response to 2-Deoxy-D-glucose was slightly reduced by Men 10210 (10 nmol/kg/h). The above data suggest that the natural and synthetic neurokinins studied have negligible effects on gastric acid secretion, thus the gastro-protective effect observed in some experimental conditions is unlikely to be related to an antisecretory effect of these compounds.

Effect of histamine on gastric acid secretion "in vitro": interference with endogenous prostaglandins

The interference between histamine and endogenous prostaglandins (PGs) was investigated in the isolated gastric fundus from immature rats by evaluating the effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) on the acid response to histamine and the effect of histamine on PGs production by the gastric mucosa. Indomethacin (10(-5) M) and diclofenac (10(-5) M) caused a dose-dependent enhancement of the response to histamine, dimaprit and DBcAMP, but did not affect bethanechol-, isoprenaline- and forskolin-induced acid production. The enhancing effect of indomethacin was abolished in low Ca2+ medium. PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha levels in the mucosal solution were not modified by histamine, while being reduced by indomethacin. From these data it is concluded that endogenous PGs may negatively modulate the secretory response to histamine. However, a direct effect of the amine on cyclooxygenase to increase PGs synthesis seems to be excluded since histamine did not modify PGs levels in the mucosal solution.

Inhibitory effect of misoprostol on gastric acid secretion in vitro. Qualitative differences from natural prostaglandins

The synthetic PGE1 analog, misoprostol, was shown to have a marked inhibitory effect on gastric secretion as determined in the isolated gastric fundus from immature rats. It inhibited both the unstimulated and pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion at 10(-7)-10(-4) molar concentrations. Its effect was different from that of PGE1 and PGE2, which did not affect basal acid secretion (up to 3 x 10(-5) M), although they inhibited to the same extent as misoprostol the pentagastrin-induced acid secretion. When given by "mucosal" application, misoprostol (10(-7)-10(-5) M) behaved similar to the mast cell stabilizer, compound FPL 52694, but its maximum reduction response was only 50%. The above data suggest that misoprostol has additional antisecretory mechanisms of action not shared by the classical natural prostaglandins.

Effect of glucagon on gastric acid secretion by the isolated fundus from immature rats

The effect of glucagon was studied on the isolated gastric fundus from immature rats in comparison with histamine. Glucagon (10(-7) -3 X 10(-6) M) caused a concentration-dependent increase in acid output, being approximately 25 fold more potent than histamine (ED50 values were 6.38 X 10(-7) M and 2.42 X 10(-5) M for glucagon and histamine, respectively). These compounds, however, did not differ in regard to the maximum response. The stimulatory effect of glucagon was not enhanced by pretreatment with 3 X 10(-8) M forskolin or 10(-7) M ICI 63197, a phosphodiesterase (PD) inhibitor. Conversely, both forskolin and ICI 63197 shifted to the left the concentration-response curve to histamine. The increase in acid secretion by glucagon was reduced by PGE1 (10(-5) M) and PGE2 (10(-5) M) but only PGE2 inhibited the response to histamine. From these data it can be concluded that glucagon stimulated acid production in the stomach from immature rats, and this effect does not seem to involve the same adenylate cyclase activated by histamine.

Famotidine and ranitidine: any difference in the duration of action?

The new H2-receptor antagonist famotidine was studied to test its duration of action in comparison with ranitidine. In the conscious cat provided with gastric fistula famotidine and ranitidine, administered by bolus i.v. injection, by continuous infusion or intragastrically, had an inhibitory effect on dimaprit-induced acid secretion which lasted similarly. The only difference between the two compounds was the higher potency of famotidine. Reversibility studies carried out in the isolated gastric fundus from immature rats showed that famotidine, like ranitidine, was easily washed out even at the highest concentration tested (3 X 10(-6) M) and thus it can be considered a readily dissociable H2 antagonist in this tissue.

Pharmacology of the novel H2 antagonist famotidine: in vitro studies

The novel antiulcer drug famotidine was found to be a potent and selective inhibitor of histamine H2 receptors. Its activity on different parameters involving H2 receptors was higher than that of other compounds of the family: pA2 values were 8.33, 7.86 and 7.83 in the guinea pig atria, guinea pig papillary muscle and isolated rat gastric secretion, respectively. Apart from quantitative differences, famotidine differed from the other compounds, since it caused a competitive antagonism only at low concentrations and an unsurmountable antagonism at higher concentrations. The duration of the inhibitory action on the "in vitro" gastric secretion resembled that of cimetidine and ranitidine. Famotidine was highly effective (approximately 10 times as potent as ranitidine) also on the rat uterus (unsurmountable antagonism) and on the guinea pig gallbladder (pA2 value = 7.71). Famotidine was apparently devoid of non-specific effects concerning the gastrointestinal motility even at very high concentrations (10(-4) M). In this respect, famotidine appeared to be more selective than cimetidine and ranitidine at the H2 receptor level. The high potency, the peculiarity of the antagonism and the lack of side-effects on a number of isolated preparations, indicate this H2 antagonist as a very peculiar member of the group.

Effects of Ca2+ ions on gastric acid secretion by the rat isolated stomach

The role of Ca2+ in the stimulatory action of histamine has been evaluated in the isolated gastric fundus from immature rats, by changing the concentration of calcium ions in the bathing solutions. Lowering Ca2+ to 1.2 mM greatly enhanced the secretory response to histamine, while leaving unaffected that to the H2-receptor agonist, dimaprit. The effect of histamine was competitively antagonized by ranitidine (pA2 = 6.78) in normal solutions; conversely in 1.2 mM Ca2+, the antagonism by ranitidine became unsurmountable. Basal rates of acid secretion did not change in low Ca2+ solutions, whereas they were reduced approximately by 50% in Ca2+-free media. Finally, the secretory response to theophylline was significantly lower in low Ca2+ solutions in comparison with that in control conditions. From the above results it may be concluded that changes in the concentration of Ca2+ ions caused different changes in the secretory response of the rat stomach in the various experimental conditions. The marked enhancement of the response to histamine observed in low Ca2+ is unlikely to be connected with H2-receptors, as suggested by the lack of interference in the response to dimaprit, but it could be related to intracellular mechanisms (H+/K+-ATPase, carbonic anhydrase activation etc.).

Effect of omeprazole on gastric acid secretion by the rat isolated stomach

The inhibitory effect of omeprazole has been investigated on the isolated gastric fundus from immature rats. Omeprazole (10(-7)-10(-5) M) inhibited basal acid secretion, conversely from H2-receptor antagonists, antimuscarinic compounds and calcium antagonists; the effect was mimicked only by KSCN (3 X 10(-4)-3 X 10(-2) M). Omeprazole (10(-6)-10(-5) M) caused an insurmountable antagonism of the hypersecretion induced by histamine and bethanechol, whereas it competitively antagonized the secretory response to isoprenaline and dibutyryl cAMP. Experiments carried out in low calcium media showed that calcium ions did not significantly affect the inhibitory potency of omeprazole when tested on basal acid secretion, whereas low calcium solutions enhanced the action of omeprazole against histamine-induced hypersecretion. The above data confirmed the potent antisecretory activity of omeprazole in different experimental conditions in which the common antisecretagogues are without effect and pointed out the novel site of action in the control of gastric acid secretion at intracellular level.

Rat gastric secretion "in vitro": interaction between histamine and various antisecretagogues acting by different mechanisms

The interaction between histamine and various antisecretagogues acting by different mechanisms has been investigated in the isolated fundus from the rat stomach. Histamine evoked a concentration-dependent stimulatory effect which was competitively antagonized by the H2-receptor antagonist, ranitidine and non competitively by the H+/K+-ATPase inhibitor, omeprazole. The histamine induced secretion was highly resistant to the action of the calcium entry blocker verapamil, somatostatin and KSCN, but some inhibition was obtained with the calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine. Removal of calcium ions from the bathing media (both mucosal and serosal) greatly enhanced histamine-induced gastric secretion. The results suggest that the relationship between receptor stimulation and the intracellular events leading to acid secretion is far from being elucidated.

Histamine H2 receptor antagonists may modify dog intestinal motility independently of their primary action on the H2 receptors

Various histamine H2 receptor antagonists were tested for their possible effects on intestinal motility of the dog both "in vivo" and "in vitro". They were found to behave quite differently from one another: ranitidine exerted a small atropine-sensitive stimulatory effect by itself and strongly potentiated the stimulatory action of compounds which interfere with the cholinergic system thus confirming its cholinomimetic direct and/or indirect activities. Cimetidine and mifentidine were ineffective even at very high doses. Oxmetidine exerted an inhibitory effect independently of the kind of the stimulant agent and this suggested a direct effect on the smooth muscle. The different effects elicited by the above H2 antagonists indicate that their action on the intestinal motility is completely independent of the H2 blockade. This was furtherly confirmed by the lack of effect shown by the H2 receptor selective agonists, dimaprit and impromidine. The motor effects of ranitidine were, so far, the only ones which have been encountered, in different conditions, also in humans.

Action of the new H2-antagonist, DA 4577, on different in vitro and in vivo preparations

The new H2-antagonist, 4(5)-(4- isopropylaminomethyleniminophenyl )-imidazole (compound marked DA 4577), was tested for its activity on different in vitro preparations and also in the conscious cat. Its effect was compared with that of some new H2 antagonists. Two sets of experiments were performed: in the first, concerning the specific H2-receptor antagonism, DA 4577 was found to be extremely potent on the guinea-pig papillary muscle and on the human atrium stimulated by histamine (pA2 = 8.24 and 8.60 respectively). Compound DA 4577 was also found very active in inhibiting histamine-induced acid secretion from the isolated rat fundus (pA2 = 7.37) and on the dimaprit-induced gastric secretion in conscious gastric fistula cats (ID50 = 0.39 mumol kg-1 h-1). In the second set of experiments, concerning effects independent of the H2-receptor blockade (side effects of the molecule), compound DA 4577 was found to be devoid of negative inotropic effect on the human atrium in the absence of histamine stimulation; in this respect it behaved like cimetidine or ranitidine but unlike oxmetidine which showed a constant negative inotropic effect even at concentration 10 times lower than those of DA 4577. Furthermore DA 4577 was ineffective in modifying gastrointestinal motility in vitro in concentrations up to 3 X 10(-4) M, conversely from ranitidine (which stimulated motility) and oxmetidine (which inhibited motility). On the whole DA 4577 appeared to be a very potent and selective H2 antagonist which, unlike other members of the family, is devoid of non-specific effect on human atrium and on motility of the gastrointestinal tract of different animal species.