Concentration of histamine in different parts of the brain and hypophysis of rabbit: effect of treatment with histidine, certain other amino acids and histamine

The challenge of drug discovery of a GPCR target: Analysis of preclinical pharmacology of histamine H3 antagonists/inverse agonists

Although the histamine H(3) receptor was identified pharmacologically in 1983, and despite widespread pharmaceutical interest in the target, no compound interacting specifically with this site has undergone successful clinical examination to develop the necessary proof-of-concept data. Therefore, clinical knowledge of the therapeutic potential of H(3) receptor antagonists in neuropsychiatric diseases, in metabolic diseases or in sleep disorders has yet to determine if the preclinical data that show broad efficacy in animal models of the aforementioned states are relevant to current unmet medical needs. H(3) receptors are complex, with species-related sequence differences that impact pharmacological responses. The receptors have a complex gene organization that provides opportunity for multiple slice isoforms, most of which remain poorly characterized even within a species. H(3) receptors are constitutively active, although the extent of this could vary either between species and/or receptor splice isoforms, both of which may provide opportunity for preferential coupling to different G-proteins. Thus, it is not surprising that the pharmacological effects of known H(3) ligands are complex and diverse, since these agents may act both as agonists and antagonists in different systems. Moreover, other compounds show inverse agonism in some models but neutral antagonist activity in others. Some of this diversity may be related to different ligand-dependent receptor activation states or to the effects of key amino acids important for ligand recognition. This commentary provides an overview of these complexities as applied to the H(3) receptor and the challenges these intricacies create for drug discovery.

Administration and (1)H MRS detection of histidine in human brain: application to in vivo pH measurement

Measurement of histidine in vivo offers the potential for tissue pH measurement using routinely performed (1)H MR spectroscopy. In the brain, however, histidine concentrations are generally too low for reliable measurement. By using oral loading of histidine, this study demonstrates that brain concentrations can be significantly increased, enabling detection of histidine by localized (1)H MR measurements and making in vivo pH measurement possible. In studies carried out on healthy human subjects at 1.5 T, a consistent spectral quality downfield from water was achieved using a PRESS sequence at short echo times. Measurements at different TE values helped to characterize the downfield spectral region. Histidine loading of 400 mg/kg of body weight increased brain histidine levels by approximately 0.8 mM, with maximum histidine concentration reached 4 to 7 hr after consumption. The pH calculated from histidine resonances was 6.96, and a hyperventilation study demonstrated the potential for measuring altered pH.

Antidepressant-like effects of endogenous histamine and of two histamine H1 receptor agonists in the mouse forced swim test

1. Effects of substances which are able to alter brain histamine levels and two histamine H1 receptor agonists were investigated in mice by means of an animal model of depression, the forced swim test. 2. Imipramine (10 and 30 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and amitriptyline (5 and 15 mg kg(-1), i.p.) were used as positive controls. Their effects were not affected by pretreatment with the histamine H3 receptor agonist, (R)-alpha-methylhistamine, at a dose (10 mg kg(-1), i.p.) which did not modify the cumulative time of immobility. 3. The histamine H3 receptor antagonist, thioperamide (2-20 mg kg(-1), s.c.), showed an antidepressant-like effect, with a maximum at the dose of 5 mg kg(-1), which was completely prevented by (R)-alpha-methylhistamine. 4. The histamine-N-methyltransferase inhibitor, metoprine (2-20 mg kg(-1), s.c.), was effective with an ED50 of 4.02 (2.71-5.96) mg kg(-1); its effect was prevented by (R)-alpha-methylhistamine. 5. The histamine precursor, L-histidine (100-1000 mg kg(-1), i.p.), dose-dependently decreased the time of immobility [ED30 587 (499-712) mg kg(-1)]. The effect of 500 mg kg(-1) L-histidine was completely prevented by the selective histidine decarboxylase inhibitor, (S)-alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (50 mg kg(-1), i.p.), administered 15 h before. 6. The highly selective histamine H1 receptor agonist, 2-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)histamine (0.3-6.5 microg per mouse, i.c.v.), and the better known H1 agonist, 2-thiazolylethylamine (0.1-1 microg per mouse, i.c.v.), were both dose-dependently effective in decreasing the time of immobility [ED50 3.6 (1.53-8.48) and 1.34 (0.084-21.5) microg per mouse, respectively]. 7. None of the substances tested affected mouse performance in the rota rod test at the doses used in the forced swim test. 8. It was concluded that endogenous histamine reduces the time of immobility in this test, suggesting an antidepressant-like effect, via activation of H1 receptors.

Role of histamine in rodent antinociception

1. Effects of substances which are able to alter brain histamine levels on the nociceptive threshold were investigated in mice and rats by means of tests inducing three different kinds of noxious stimuli: mechanical (paw pressure), chemical (abdominal constriction) and thermal (hot plate). 2. A wide range of i.c.v. doses of histamine 2HCl was studied. Relatively high dose were dose-dependently antinociceptive in all three tests: 5-100 micrograms per rat in the paw pressure test, 5-50 micrograms per mouse in the abdominal constriction test and 50-100 micrograms per mouse in the hot plate test. Conversely, very low doses were hyperalgesic: 0.5 microgram per rat in the paw pressure test and 0.1-1 microgram per mouse in the hot plate test. In the abdominal constriction test no hyperalgesic effect was observed. 3. The histamine H3 antagonist, thioperamide maleate, elicited a weak but statistically significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effect by both parenteral (10-40 mg kg-1) and i.c.v. (1.1-10 micrograms per rat and 3.4-10 micrograms per mouse) routes. 4. The histamine H3 agonist, (R)-alpha-methylhistamine dihydrogenomaleate was hyperalgesic, with a rapid effect (15 min after treatment) following i.c.v. administration of 1 microgram per rat and 3 microgram per mouse, or i.p. administration of 100 mg kg-1 in mice. In rats 20 mg kg-1, i.p. elicited hyperalgesia only 4 h after treatment. 5. Thioperamide-induced antinociception was completely prevented by pretreatment with a non-hyperalgesic i.p. dose of (R)-alpha-methylhistamine in the mouse hot plate and abdominal constriction tests. Antagonism was also observed when both substances were administered i.c.v. in rats. 6. L-Histidine HCl dose-dependently induced a slowly occurring antinociception in all three tests. The doses of 250 and 500 mg kg-1, i.p. were effective in the rat paw pressure test, and those of 500 and 1500 mg kg-1, i.p. in the mouse hot plate test. In the mouse abdominal constriction test 500 and 1000 mg kg-1, i.p. showed their maximum effect 2 h after treatment. 7. The histamine N-methyltransferase inhibitor, metoprine, elicited a long-lasting, dose-dependent antinociception in all three tests by both i.p. (10-30 mg kg-1) and i.c.v. (50-100 micrograms per rat) routes. 8. To ascertain the mechanism of action of the antinociceptive effect of L-histidine and metoprine, the two substances were also studied in combination with the histamine synthesis inhibitor (S)-alpha-fluoromethylhistidine and with (R)-alpha-methylhistamine, respectively. L-Histidine antinociception was completely antagonized in all three tests by pretreatment with (S)-alpha-fluoromethylhistidine HCl (50 mg kg-1, i.p.)administered 2 h before L-histidine treatment. Similarly, metoprine antinociception was prevented by(R)-alpha-methylhistamine dihydrogenomaleate 20 mg kg-1, i.p. administered 15 min before metoprine. Both(S)-alpha-fluoromethylhistidine and (R)-alpha-methylhistamine were used at doses which did not modify the nociceptive threshold when given alone.9. The catabolism product, 1-methylhistamine, administered i.c.v. had no effect in either rat paw pressure or mouse abdominal constriction tests.10. These results indicate that the antinociceptive action of histamine may take place on the postsynaptic site, and that its hyperalgesic effect occurs with low doses acting on the presynaptic receptor. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the H3 antagonist, thioperamide is antinociceptive and the H3 agonist, (R)-alpha-methylhistamine is hyperalgesic, probably modulating endogenous histamine release.L-Histidine and metoprine, which are both able to increase brain histamine levels, are also able to induce antinociception in mice and rats. Involvement of the histaminergic system in the modulation of nociceptive stimuli is thus proposed.

Circadian rhythm of histamine metabolism in the rabbit central nervous system (CNS): analysis of brain and ocular structures

The circadian rhythm of the level of histamine (HI) and histidine decarboxylase (HD) and histamine-methyltransferase (HMT) activity in 6 brain and 5 ocular structures of the rabbit was studied. Clear circadian variations of the histaminergic parameters in two brain (hypothalamus and lateral geniculate body) and two ocular (retina and iris-ciliary body) tissues were found. It is suggested that HI in some brain and ocular structures may be functionally involved in activity that depends on circadian rhythm.

Release of endogenous histamine in the hypothalamus of anaesthetized cats and conscious, freely moving rabbits

The hypothalamus of anaesthetized cats and conscious, freely moving rabbits was superfused with CSF through double-walled, push-pull cannulae and the release of endogenous histamine was determined in the superfusates by a radioenzymatic assay. In the posterior hypothalamic area of the anaesthetized cat, the rate of release of endogenous histamine varied rhythmically; phases of high rate of release appeared at 60 min cycles. The release of histamine was increased by electrical stimulation of the superfused area, as well as by hypothalamic superfusion with potassium-rich CSF. In the conscious rabbit, the anterior hypothalamic area and the posterior hypothalamic nucleus were superfused simultaneously. In both regions, the resting release of histamine varied rhythmically at approximately 70 min cycles. Phases of high or low-rate of release in the anterior hypothalamic area coincided with the corresponding phases in the posterior hypothalamic nucleus. The rhythmic release of endogenous histamine in the hypothalamus, as well as the ability of depolarizing stimuli to enhance the release of the amine support the idea that histamine acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Measurement of tele-methylhistamine and histamine in human cerebrospinal fluid, urine, and plasma

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method described by us to measure tele-methylhistamine (t-MH) in brain was used to measure t-MH in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine and plasma. The presence of t-MH in these body fluids was rigorously established. No pros-methyl-histamine could be detected, and it was used as internal standard to quantify t-MH in the fluids. The mean levels of t-MH were: urine, 943 pmol/mg creatinine; plasma, 12.3 pmol/ml; and CSF, 2.2 pmol/ml. Parallel measurements of histamine by a radioenzymatic method showed, respectively, 182 pmol/mg creatinine; 19.5 pmol/ml; and 388 pmol/ml. The levels of HA in CSF, much higher than those of its metabolite, t-MH, are high enough to stimulate HA receptors in the central nervous system.

Histamine and some of its metabolites in human body fluids

The concentrations of histamine, t-methylhistamine and t-methylimidazoleacetic acid were measured in human cerebrospinal fluid, plasma and urine, Especially noteworthy are the levels of histamine in cerebrospinal fluid which are far higher than those of t-methylhistamine and of t-methylimidazoleacetic acid, and high enough to stimulate histamine receptors in the central nervous system. It is suggested that mast cells, which surround the subarachnoid space, may contribute histamine to the cerebrospinal fluid and may offer a target for drugs and for immunologic actions. The t-methylhistamine and t-methylimidazoleacetic acid levels in cerebrospinal fluid may reflect central histaminergic activity, although a source of these metabolites in addition to histamine needs to be considered.

Phylogeny of histamine in vertebrate brain

Measurement of histamine and its metabolizing enzymes in a variety of chordate species indicated that histamine and histamine methyltransferase were present in brain of all vertebrate species with a recognizable brain structure. Diamine oxidase was absent in mammalian brain but was present in brain of lower vertebrates. Histamine levels were especially high in amphibia and fish brains, in which the phylogenetically newer parts of the brain were less well-developed. In the spiny dogfish (as in mammals), brain histamine levels were highest in the midbrain regions. In contrast to brain, histamine levels were low in muscle, skin and intestine of all aquatic species.

Reversal of DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits and mice by histidine

1 The behavioural effects induced by histidine were studied in two species. In rabbits, sedation was assessed by the presence of blepharospasm, loss of righting reflex, and loss of response to painful stimuli. In mice, sedation and arousal were assessed by changes in the locomotor activity, exploratory activity, and minimal electroshock seizure threshold.2 The administration of histidine to normal rabbits or mice, in doses of 800 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively, had no apparent effect on behaviour. Moreover, it did not affect the behavioural excitation induced by L-DOPA (100 mg/kg i.v. in rabbits and 750 mg/kg i.p. in mice) in these animals.3 The administration of histidine with or after L-DOPA in reserpine-treated rabbits (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) or mice (5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced sedation. This sedative effect was dose-dependent.4 The sedative effects induced by histidine after DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits and mice were prevented by prior injection of the histamine H(1)-receptor blockers, chlorpheniramine (2.5 mg/kg) or diphenhydramine (5 mg/kg).5 Imipramine (7 to 10 mg/kg, i.v.)-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits was also reversed by histidine infusion.6 The infusion of 5-hydroxytryptophan (100 mg/kg, i.v.) with L-DOPA, or of arginine (450 mg/kg, i.v.) with or after L-DOPA, or of histamine (100 mug/kg), i.v.) after L-DOPA, did not affect the DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits.7 These findings indicate that histamine, formed centrally from exogenous histidine, and released in increased amounts at the synapses in reserpine-treated animals, possesses a central sedative effect. This effect may be sufficient to antagonize the behavioural excitation induced by high levels of catecholamines in the brain of these animals when aroused by L-DOPA administration.8 It is concluded that in addition to the other monoamines, histamine may also be implicated in the regulation of brain excitability.

Ontogenesis of histamine in the chick nervous system

Tissues from the central and peripheral nervous systems of the chick were analyzed for concentration of histamine (Hm) during development. Of the three CNS organs examined, cerebral hemispheres had the highest Hm content. Expressed on the bases of wet weight, protein, and DNA concentrations, sciatic nerve and the pineal gland had the highest levels of this biogenic amine of the five tissues investigated. The concentration of Hm was higher in the cerebellum, cerebral hemispheres, and thalamus of adult animals than in the 15 to 17-day-old embryos. The level of Hm rose markedly in the sciatic nerve and pineal gland after the 15th day of embryonic development. These data might indicate a possible involvement of Hm in controlling the course of maturation of certain organs in the nervous system.

Biphasic changes in body temperature produced by intracerebroventricular injections of histamine in the cat

1. Intracerebroventricular administration of histamine to cats caused hypothermia followed by a rise in body temperature. 2-Methylhistamine caused a similar biphasic response, while 3-methylhistamine had no effect on body temperature and 4-methylhistamine produced a delayed hyperthermia. Some tolerance to the hypothermic activity developed when a series of closely spaced injections of histamine was given. 2. Doses of histamine and 2-methylhistamine which altered body temperature when given centrally were ineffective when infused or injected I.V. 3. Pyrilamine, an H1-receptor antagonist, prevented the hypothermic response to histamine. 4. Hypothermic responses to histamine at an environmental temperature of 22 degrees C were comparable to responses in a cold room at 4 degrees C in both resting animals and animals acting to depress a lever to escape an external heat load. A change in error signal from the thermostat could account for these results. However, lesser degrees of hypothermia developed when histamine was given to animals in a hot environment. In some, but not all animals, this smaller response could be attributed to inadequate heat loss in spite of maximal activation of heat-loss mechanisms. 5. The hyperthermic response to histamine was antagonized by central, but not peripheral, injection of metiamide, an H2-receptor antagonist. 6. The results indicate that histamine and related agents can act centrally to cause both hypothermia, mediated by H1-receptors, and hyperthermia, mediated by H2-receptors.