Histamine H1 receptors are involved in mouse nasal allergic responses:: a demonstration with H1 receptor-deficient mice

The role of histamine H-1 receptors in nasal allergic symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing) were studied using histamine H-1 receptor-deficient mice. Intranasal instillation of histamine solution resulted in significant increases in sneezing and nasal rubbing in wild-type mice, whereas no increases were observed in histamine H-1 receptor-deficient mice. The histamine H-1 receptor agonist 2-pyridylethylamine induced sneezing and nasal rubbing in a dose-dependent manner in wild-type mice, but no such increase was fund in histamine H, receptor-deficient mice. On the other hand, the histamine H-2 receptor agonist dimaprit did not increase sneezing and nasal rubbing in wild-type mice. Histamine H-1 receptor antagonists such as chlorpheniramine and epinastine significantly inhibited nasal allergic symptoms caused by histamine, but the histamine H-2 receptor antagonists cimetidine and famotidine showed no effect. No additional effects were observed by combined use of chlorpheniramine and cimetidine or famotidine compared with cimetidine or famotidine alone. These results suggested that histamine H, receptors play an important role in nasal allergy symptoms induced by histamine. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.