Acceleration of idioventricular rhythms by histamine in guinea pig heart: mediation by H2 receptors. 1979

R Levi, and J H Zavecz

To evaluate the ability of histamine to induce ventricular arrhythmias, we studied the effects of histamine on ventricular rhythmicity in the isolated guinea pig heart with complete atrioventricular conduction block. As a function of dose (0.1-30 microgram), histamine enhanced the idioventricular rate by increasing the rate of firing of the original pacemaker and also by causing the sudden appearance of faster idioventricular rhythms that coincided with changes in pacemaker site. Anaphylaxis in the isolated guinea pig heart with complete atrioventricular conduction block caused histamine release and acceleration of idioventricular rate. The effects of histamine on idioventricular rhythmicity were not attenuated by the histamine H1 receptor antagonist chlorpheniramine, but were antagonized by the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine. Moreover, the selective H2 agonist 4-methylhistamine (4MeH) accelerated the idioventricular rate, whereas 2-(2-thiazolyl) ethylamine (ThEA), at doses selective for H1 receptor activation, did not. The effects of histamine on idioventricular rhythmicity were not modified by the beta-adrenergic blocker pindolol. The mechanism by which histamine increases idioventricular rate probably involves two components: (1) an enhancement in automaticity of the original pacemaker, and (2) the induction of faster rhythms via reentry and/or afterdepolarizations. Whatever the mechanism, both components of the ventricular chronotropic action of histamine appear to involve exclusively histamine receptors of the H2 type. Thus, our results suggest that H2 receptor antagonists may have a role as specific antiarrhythmic agents in the treatment of cardiac dysfunctions caused by histamine release.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008761 Methylhistamines Histamine substituted in any position with one or more methyl groups. Many of these are agonists for the H1, H2, or both histamine receptors.
D010869 Pindolol A moderately lipophilic beta blocker (ADRENERGIC BETA-ANTAGONISTS). It is non-cardioselective and has intrinsic sympathomimetic actions, but little membrane-stabilizing activity. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmocopoeia, 30th ed, p638) Prindolol,LB-46,Visken,LB 46,LB46
D011968 Receptors, Histamine Cell-surface proteins that bind histamine and trigger intracellular changes influencing the behavior of cells. Histamine receptors are widespread in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues. Three types have been recognized and designated H1, H2, and H3. They differ in pharmacology, distribution, and mode of action. Histamine Binding Sites,Histamine Receptors,Histamine Receptor,Binding Sites, Histamine,Receptor, Histamine,Sites, Histamine Binding
D011970 Receptors, Histamine H2 A class of histamine receptors discriminated by their pharmacology and mode of action. Histamine H2 receptors act via G-proteins to stimulate ADENYLYL CYCLASES. Among the many responses mediated by these receptors are gastric acid secretion, smooth muscle relaxation, inotropic and chronotropic effects on heart muscle, and inhibition of lymphocyte function. (From Biochem Soc Trans 1992 Feb;20(1):122-5) Histamine H2 Receptors,H2 Receptors,Receptors, H2,H2 Receptors, Histamine
D002744 Chlorpheniramine A histamine H1 antagonist used in allergic reactions, hay fever, rhinitis, urticaria, and asthma. It has also been used in veterinary applications. One of the most widely used of the classical antihistaminics, it generally causes less drowsiness and sedation than PROMETHAZINE. Chlorphenamine,Chlorprophenpyridamine,Aller-Chlor,Antihistaminico Llorens,Chlo-Amine,Chlor-100,Chlor-Trimeton,Chlor-Tripolon,Chlorpheniramine Maleate,Chlorpheniramine Tannate,Chlorpro,Chlorspan 12,Chlortab-4,Cloro-Trimeton,Efidac 24,Kloromin,Piriton,Teldrin,Maleate, Chlorpheniramine,Tannate, Chlorpheniramine
D002927 Cimetidine A histamine congener, it competitively inhibits HISTAMINE binding to HISTAMINE H2 RECEPTORS. Cimetidine has a range of pharmacological actions. It inhibits GASTRIC ACID secretion, as well as PEPSIN and GASTRIN output. Altramet,Biomet,Biomet400,Cimetidine HCl,Cimetidine Hydrochloride,Eureceptor,Histodil,N-Cyano-N'-methyl-N''-(2-(((5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methyl)thio)ethyl)guanidine,SK&F-92334,SKF-92334,Tagamet,HCl, Cimetidine,Hydrochloride, Cimetidine,SK&F 92334,SK&F92334,SKF 92334,SKF92334
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D006168 Guinea Pigs A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research. Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D006327 Heart Block Impaired conduction of cardiac impulse that can occur anywhere along the conduction pathway, such as between the SINOATRIAL NODE and the right atrium (SA block) or between atria and ventricles (AV block). Heart blocks can be classified by the duration, frequency, or completeness of conduction block. Reversibility depends on the degree of structural or functional defects. Auriculo-Ventricular Dissociation,A-V Dissociation,Atrioventricular Dissociation,A V Dissociation,A-V Dissociations,Atrioventricular Dissociations,Auriculo Ventricular Dissociation,Auriculo-Ventricular Dissociations,Block, Heart,Blocks, Heart,Dissociation, A-V,Dissociation, Atrioventricular,Dissociation, Auriculo-Ventricular,Dissociations, A-V,Dissociations, Atrioventricular,Dissociations, Auriculo-Ventricular,Heart Blocks

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