Functional identification of histamine H3-receptors in the human heart. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Norepinephrine release contributes to ischemic cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias. Because activation of histamine H3-receptors inhibits norepinephrine release, we searched for the presence of H3-receptors directly in sympathetic nerve endings (cardiac synaptosomes) isolated from surgical specimens of human atria. Norepinephrine was released by depolarization with K+. The presence of H3-receptors was ascertained because the selective H3-receptor agonists (R) alpha-methylhistamine and imetit reduced norepinephrine release, and the specific H3-receptor antagonist thioperamide blocked this effect. Norepinephrine release was exocytotic, since it was inhibited by the N-type Ca(2+)-channel blocker omega-conotoxin and the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro31-8220. Functional relevance of these H3-receptors was obtained by showing that transmural electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerve endings in human atrial tissue increased contractility, an effect blocked by propranolol and attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner by (R) alpha-methylhistamine. Also, thioperamide antagonized the effect of (R) alpha-methylhistamine. Our findings are the first demonstration that H3-receptors are present in sympathetic nerve endings in the human heart, where they modulate adrenergic responses by inhibiting norepinephrine release. Since myocardial ischemia causes intracardiac histamine release, H3-receptor-induced attenuation of sympathetic neurotransmission may be clinically relevant.

publication date

  • July 1, 1995

Research

keywords

  • Heart
  • Myocardium
  • Receptors, Histamine H3
  • Synaptosomes

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0029004237

PubMed ID

  • 7788879

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 77

issue

  • 1