ISSN:
1365-2133
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Background Although the roles of histamine H3 receptors have been studied in several tissues such as the brain, lung, spleen, colon and peripheral sensory nerve endings, the involvement of H3 receptors in skin responses particularly in relation to scratching behaviour are not well documented. Objectives This work was performed to study the effects of histamine H3 antagonists on scratching behaviour in mast cell-deficient mice. Methods Histamine H3 antagonists iodophenpropit and clobenpropit, histamine and substance P were injected intradermally into the rostral part of the back of mast cell-deficient (WBB6F1 W/Wv) and wild-type (WBB6F1+/+) mice and scratching behaviour was measured for 60 min. The effects of H1 antagonists on scratching behaviour induced by H3 antagonists were also investigated. Results Intradermal injection of iodophenpropit and clobenpropit at doses of 10 and 100 nmol per site caused significant increases in scratching behaviour in both mast cell-deficient and wild-type mice. Histamine also caused a dose-related increase in the incidence of scratching behaviour, and a significant effect was observed at a dose of 100 nmol per site in both mast cell-deficient and wild-type mice. Substance P was also effective in causing scratching behaviour in both mast cell-deficient and wild-type mice. However, histamine H1 antagonists diphenhydramine and chlorphenamine failed to inhibit H3 antagonist-induced scratching behaviour in both types of mice. Conclusions Our results indicated that intradermal injection of H3 antagonists induces scratching behaviour and that chemical mediators other than histamine seem to be involved in the response.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05341.x
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