Histamine H(1) and H(3) receptors in the rat thalamus and their modulation after systemic kainic acid administration

Central histaminergic signalling, neural excitability and epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by repeated and spontaneous epileptic seizures and is not well controlled by current medication. Traditional theory suggests that epilepsy results from an imbalance of excitatory glutamate neurons and inhibitory GABAergic neurons. However, new evidence from clinical and preclinical research suggests that histamine in the CNS plays an important role in the modulation of neural excitability and in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Many histamine receptor ligands have achieved curative effects in animal epilepsy models, among which the histamine H₃ receptor antagonist pitolisant has shown anti-epileptic effects in clinical trials. Recent studies, therefore, have focused on the potential action of histamine receptors to control and treat epilepsy. In this review, we summarize the findings from animal and clinical epilepsy research on the role of brain histamine and its receptors. We also identify current gaps in the research and suggest where further studies are most needed.

Revisiting the role of neurotransmitters in epilepsy: An updated review

Epilepsy is a neurologicaldisorder characterized by persistent predisposition to recurrent seizurescaused by abnormal neuronal activity in the brain. Epileptic seizures maydevelop due to a relative imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Expressional alterations of receptors and ion channelsactivated by neurotransmitters can lead to epilepsy pathogenesis.

AIMS

In this updated comprehensive review, we discuss the emerging implication of mutations in neurotransmitter-mediated receptors and ion channels. We aim to provide critical findings of the current literature about the role of neurotransmitters in epilepsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify and critically evaluate studies analyzing the possible relationship between epilepsy and neurotransmitters. The PubMed database was searched for related research articles.

KEY FINDINGS

Glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are the main neurotransmitters playing a critical role in the pathophysiology of this balance, and irreversible neuronal damage may occur as a result of abnormal changes in these molecules. Acetylcholine (ACh), the main stimulant of the autonomic nervous system, mediates signal transmission through cholinergic and nicotinic receptors. Accumulating evidence indicates that dysfunction of nicotinic ACh receptors, which are widely expressed in hippocampal and cortical neurons, may be significantly implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. The dopamine-norepinephrine-epinephrine cycle activates hormonal and neuronal pathways; serotonin, norepinephrine, histamine, and melatonin can act as both hormones and neurotransmitters. Recent reports have demonstrated that nitric oxide mediates cognitive and memory-related functions via stimulating neuronal transmission.

SIGNIFICANCE

The elucidation of the role of the main mediators and receptors in epilepsy is crucial for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Betahistine, prevents kindling, ameliorates the behavioral comorbidities and neurodegeneration induced by pentylenetetrazole

A seizure may occur because of the imbalance between glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Recurrent seizures induce some cognitive problems, such as, depression, learning and memory deficits, and neurodegeneration. Histamine is an appropriate therapeutic target for epilepsy via its effect on regulating neurotransmitter release. Also, evidence indicates the effect of histamine on neuroprotection and alleviating cognitive disorders. An ideal antiepileptic drug is a substance, which has both anticonvulsant effects and decreases the comorbidities that are induced by repeated seizures. Betahistine dihydrochloride (betahistine) is a structural analog of histamine. It acts as histamine H1 receptor agonist and H3 receptor antagonist, which enhances histaminergic neuronal activities. In the present study, we examined the effect of betahistine administration on seizure scores, memory deficits, depression, and neuronal loss induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Eight- to ten-week-old BALB/c male mice (20-25 g) received betahistine, 1, and 10 mg/kg daily from 7 days before the onset of PTZ-induced kindling until the end of the establishment of the kindling. We found that betahistine prevented generalized tonic-clonic seizures induction and diminished forelimb clonic seizures intensity. Also, it decreased cell death in the hippocampus and cortex, ameliorated the memory deficit and depression induced by PTZ in the kindled animals. Altogether, these results indicate that pretreatment and repetitive administration with betahistine exerts antiepileptogenic and anticonvulsant activity. These findings might be due to the neuroprotective impact of betahistine in the hippocampus and cortex.

Genetic and molecular basis of epilepsy-related cognitive dysfunction

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures. About 70 million people were affected by epilepsy or epileptic seizures. Epilepsy is a complicated complex or symptomatic syndromes induced by structural, functional, and genetic causes. Meanwhile, several comorbidities are accompanied by epileptic seizures. Cognitive dysfunction is a long-standing complication associated with epileptic seizures, which severely impairs quality of life. Although the definitive pathogenic mechanisms underlying epilepsy-related cognitive dysfunction remain unclear, accumulating evidence indicates that multiple risk factors are probably involved in the development and progression of cognitive dysfunction in patients with epilepsy. These factors include the underlying etiology, recurrent seizures or status epilepticus, structural damage that induced secondary epilepsy, genetic variants, and molecular alterations. In this review, we summarize several theories that may explain the genetic and molecular basis of epilepsy-related cognitive dysfunction.

Role of the thalamic submedius nucleus histamine H1 and H 2 and opioid receptors in modulation of formalin-induced orofacial pain in rats

Histamine and opioid systems are involved in supraspinal modulation of pain. In this study, we investigated the effects of separate and combined microinjections of agonists and antagonists of histamine H1 and H2 and opioid receptors into the thalamic submedius (Sm) nucleus on the formalin-induced orofacial pain. Two guide cannulas were implanted into the right and left sides of the Sm in ketamine- and xylazine-anesthetized rats. Orofacial formalin pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of a diluted formalin solution (50 μl, 1.5%) into the vibrissa pad. Face rubbing durations were recorded at 3-min blocks for 45 min. Formalin produced a biphasic pain response (first phase: 0-3 min and second phase: 15-33 min). Separate and combined microinjections of histamine H1 and H2 receptor agonists, 2-pyridylethylamine (2-PEA) and dimaprit, respectively, and opioid receptor agonist, morphine, attenuated the second phase of pain. The analgesic effects induced by 2-PEA, dimaprit, and morphine were blocked by prior microinjections of fexofenadine (a histamine H1 receptor antagonist), famotidine (a histamine H2 receptor antagonist), and naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist), respectively. Naloxone also prevented 2-PEA- and dimaprit-induced antinociception, and the analgesic effect induced by morphine was inhibited by fexofenadine and famotidine. These results showed the involvement of histamine H1 and H2 and opioid receptors in the Sm modulation of orofacial pain. Opioid receptor might be involved in analgesia induced by activation of histamine H1 and H2 receptors and vice versa.

Histamine H3 receptor antagonism by ABT-239 attenuates kainic acid induced excitotoxicity in mice

The multifaceted pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) offers a number of adjunctive therapeutic prospects. One such therapeutic strategy could be targeting H3 receptor (H3R) by selective H3R antagonists which are perceived to have antiepileptic and neuroprotective potential. Kainic acid (KA) induced seizure, a reliable model of TLE, triggers epileptogenic events resulting from initial neuronal death and ensuing recurring seizures. The present study aimed to determine whether pre-treatment with ABT-239, a novel H3R antagonist, and its combinations with sodium valproate (SVP) and TDZD-8 (glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) inhibitor) can prevent the excitotoxic events in mice exposed to KA (10 mg/kg i.p.). ABT-239 (1 and 3 mg/kg i.p.) significantly attenuated KA-mediated behavioural and excitotoxic anomalies and restored altered expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, phospho-Akt (Ser473) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Surprisingly, restoration of Bcl2 and phospho-GSK3β (Ser9) by ABT-239 did not reach the level of statistical significance. Co-administration of ABT-239 (1 and 3 mg/kg) with a sub-effective dose of SVP (150 mg/kg i.p.) yielded improved efficacy than when given alone. Similarly, low and high dose combinations of ABT-239 (1 and 3 mg/kg) with TDZD-8 (5 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) produced greater neuroprotection than any other treatment group. Our findings suggests a neuroprotective potential of ABT-239 and its combinations with SVP and TDZD-8 against KA-induced neurotoxicity, possibly mediated through in part each by modulating Akt/GSK3β and CREB pathways. The use of H3R antagonists as adjuvant in the treatment of human TLE might find potential utility, and can be pursued further.

Intrinsic properties and neuropharmacology of midline paraventricular thalamic nucleus neurons

Neurons in the midline and intralaminar thalamic nuclei are components of an interconnected brainstem, limbic and prefrontal cortex neural network that is engaged during arousal, vigilance, motivated and addictive behaviors, and stress. To better understand the cellular mechanisms underlying these functions, here we review some of the recently characterized electrophysiological and neuropharmacological properties of neurons in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT), derived from whole cell patch clamp recordings in acute rat brain slice preparations. PVT neurons display firing patterns and ionic conductances (I_T and I_H) that exhibit significant diurnal change. Their resting membrane potential (RMP) is maintained by various ionic conductances that include inward rectifier (Kir), hyperpolarization-activated nonselective cation (HCN) and TWIK-related acid sensitive (TASK) K⁺ channels. Firing patterns are regulated by high voltage-activated (HVA) and low voltage-activated (LVA) Ca²⁺ conductances. Moreover, transient receptor potential (TRP)-like nonselective cation channels together with Ca²⁺- and Na⁺-activated K⁺ conductances (K_Ca; K_Na) contribute to unique slow afterhyperpolarizing potentials (sAHPs) that are generally not detectable in lateral thalamic or reticular thalamic nucleus neurons. The excitability of PVT neurons is also modulated by activation of neurotransmitter receptors associated with afferent pathways to PVT and other thalamic midline nuclei. We report on receptor-mediated actions of GABA, glutamate, monoamines and several neuropeptides: arginine vasopressin, gastrin-releasing peptide, thyrotropin releasing hormone and the orexins (hypocretins). This review represents an initial survey of intrinsic and transmitter-sensitive ionic conductances that are deemed to be unique to this population of midline thalamic neurons, information that is fundamental to an appreciation of the role these thalamic neurons may play in normal central nervous system (CNS) physiology and in CNS disorders that involve the dorsomedial thalamus.

Histamine H3 receptor antagonists in relation to epilepsy and neurodegeneration: a systemic consideration of recent progress and perspectives

The central histaminergic actions are mediated by H(1) , H(2) , H(3) and H(4) receptors. The histamine H(3) receptor regulates the release of histamine and a number of other neurotransmitters and thereby plays a role in cognitive and homeostatic processes. Elevated histamine levels suppress seizure activities and appear to confer neuroprotection. The H(3) receptors have a number of enigmatic features like constitutive activity, interspecies variation, distinct ligand binding affinities and differential distribution of prototypic splice variants in the CNS. Furthermore, this Gi/Go-protein-coupled receptor modulates several intracellular signalling pathways whose involvement in epilepsy and neurotoxicity are yet to be ascertained and hence represent an attractive target in the search for new anti-epileptogenic drugs. So far, H(3) receptor antagonists/inverse agonists have garnered a great deal of interest in view of their promising therapeutic properties in various CNS disorders including epilepsy and related neurotoxicity. However, a number of experiments have yielded opposing effects. This article reviews recent works that have provided evidence for diverse mechanisms of antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects that were observed in various experimental models both in vitro and in vivo. The likely reasons for the apparent disparities arising from the literature are also discussed with the aim of establishing a more reliable basis for the future use of H(3) receptor antagonists, thus improving their utility in epilepsy and associated neurotoxicity.

Histamine in neurotransmission and brain diseases

Apart from its central role in the mediation of allergic reactions, gastric acid secretion and inflammation in the periphery, histamine serves an important function as a neurotransitter in the central nervous system. The histaminergic neurons originate from the tuberomamillary nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus and send projections to most parts of the brain. The central histamine system is involved in many brain functions such as arousal, control of pituitary hormone secretion, suppression ofeating and cognitive functions. The effects of neuronal histamine are mediated via G-protein-coupled H1-H4 receptors. The prominent role of histamine as a wake-promoting substance has drawn interest to treat sleep-wake disorders, especially narcolepsy, via modulation of H3 receptor function. Post mortem studies have revealed alterations in histaminergic system in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Brain histamine levels are decreased in Alzheimer's disease patients whereas abnormally high histamine concentrations are found in the brains of Parkinson's disease and schizophrenic patients. Low histamine levels are associated with convulsions and seizures. The release of histamine is altered in response to different types of brain injury: e.g. increased release of histamine in an ischemic brain trauma might have a role in the recovery from neuronal damage. Neuronal histamine is also involved in the pain perception. Drugs that increase brain and spinal histamine concentrations have antinociceptive properties. Histaminergic drugs, most importantly histamine H3 receptors ligands, have shown efficacy in many animal models of the above-mentioned disorders. Ongoing clinical trials will reveal the efficacy and safety of these drugs in the treatment of human patients.

Histamine in the nervous system

Histamine is a transmitter in the nervous system and a signaling molecule in the gut, the skin, and the immune system. Histaminergic neurons in mammalian brain are located exclusively in the tuberomamillary nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus and send their axons all over the central nervous system. Active solely during waking, they maintain wakefulness and attention. Three of the four known histamine receptors and binding to glutamate NMDA receptors serve multiple functions in the brain, particularly control of excitability and plasticity. H1 and H2 receptor-mediated actions are mostly excitatory; H3 receptors act as inhibitory auto- and heteroreceptors. Mutual interactions with other transmitter systems form a network that links basic homeostatic and higher brain functions, including sleep-wake regulation, circadian and feeding rhythms, immunity, learning, and memory in health and disease.

H3 histamine receptor agonist inhibits biliary growth of BDL rats by downregulation of the cAMP-dependent PKA/ERK1/2/ELK-1 pathway

Histamine regulates many functions by binding to four histamine G-coupled receptor proteins (H1R, H2R, H3R and H4R). As H3R exerts their effects by coupling to Galpha(i/o) proteins reducing adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) levels (a key player in the modulation of cholangiocyte hyperplasia/damage), we evaluated the role of H3R in the regulation of biliary growth. We posed the following questions: (1) Do cholangiocytes express H3R? (2) Does in vivo administration of (R)-(alpha)-(-)-methylhistamine dihydrobromide (RAMH) (H3R agonist), thioperamide maleate (H3R antagonist) or histamine, in the absence/presence of thioperamide maleate, to bile duct ligated (BDL) rats regulate cholangiocyte proliferation? and (3) Does RAMH inhibit cholangiocyte proliferation by downregulation of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of protein kinase A (PKA)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)/ets-like gene-1 (Elk-1)? The expression of H3R was evaluated in liver sections by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and by real-time PCR in cholangiocyte RNA from normal and BDL rats. BDL rats (immediately after BDL) were treated daily with RAMH, thioperamide maleate or histamine in the absence/presence of thioperamide maleate for 1 week. Following in vivo treatment of BDL rats with RAMH for 1 week, and in vitro stimulation of BDL cholangiocytes with RAMH, we evaluated cholangiocyte proliferation, cAMP levels and PKA, ERK1/2 and Elk-1 phosphorylation. Cholangiocytes from normal and BDL rats express H3R. The expression of H3R mRNA increased in BDL compared to normal cholangiocytes. Histamine decreased cholangiocyte growth of BDL rats to a lower extent than that observed in BDL RAMH-treated rats; histamine-induced inhibition of cholangiocyte growth was partly blocked by thioperamide maleate. In BDL rats treated with thioperamide maleate, cholangiocyte hyperplasia was slightly higher than that of BDL rats. In vitro, RAMH inhibited the proliferation of BDL cholangiocytes. RAMH inhibition of cholangiocyte growth was associated with decreased cAMP levels and PKA/ERK1/2/Elk-1 phosphorylation. Downregulation of cAMP-dependent PKA/ERK1/2/Elk-1 phosphorylation (by activation of H3R) is important in the inhibition of cholangiocyte growth in liver diseases.

[Role of therapeutics for allergic diseases in targeting histamine H1 receptor gene expression]

Histamine H(1) receptors are down-regulated as one step in receptor desensitization. Five phosphorylation sites of the H(1) receptor seem to play a key role in receptor down-regulation. In contrast, an increase in the H(1) receptor expression level following its mRNA elevation was found in the nasal mucosa in hypersensitivity model rats. Up-regulation of the H(1) receptor was induced by the direct stimulation of the H(1) receptor. H(1) receptor up-regulation was suppressed by pretreatment with antiallergic agents.

Pre-synaptic histamine H3 receptors regulate glutamate, but not GABA release in rat thalamus

We have investigated the presence of histamine H(3) receptors (H(3)Rs) on rat thalamic isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes) and the effect of their activation on glutamate and GABA release. N-alpha-[methyl-(3)H]histamine ([(3)H]-NMHA) bound specifically to synaptosomal membranes with dissociation constant (K(d)) 0.78+/-0.20 nM and maximum binding (B(max)) 141+/-12fmol/mg protein. Inhibition of [(3)H]-NMHA binding by histamine and the H(3)R agonist immepip fit better to a two-site model, whereas for the H(3)R antagonist clobenpropit the best fit was to the one-site model. GTPgammaS (30 microM) decreased [(3)H]-NMHA binding by 55+/-4% and made the histamine inhibition fit better to the one-site model. Immepip (30 nM) induced a modest, but significant increase (113+/-2% of basal) in [(35)S]-GTPgammaS binding to synaptosomal membranes, an effect prevented by clobenpropit (1 microM) and by pre-treatment with pertussis toxin. In thalamus synaptosomes depolarisation-induced, Ca(2+)-dependent glutamate release was inhibited by histamine (1 microM, 25+/-4% inhibition) and immepip (30 nM, 38+/-5% reduction). These effects were reversed by clobenpropit (1microM). Conversely, immepip (up to 1 microM) had no effect on depolarisation-evoked [(3)H]-GABA release. Extracellular synaptic responses were recorded in the thalamus ventrobasal complex by stimulating corticothalamic afferents. H(3)R activation reduced by 38+/-7% the glutamate receptor-mediated field potentials (FPs), but increased the FP2/FP1 ratio (from 0.86+/-0.03 to 1.38+/-0.05) in a paired-pulse paradigm. Taken together, our results confirm the presence of H(3)Rs on thalamic nerve terminals and show that their activation modulates pre-synaptically glutamatergic, but not GABAergic neurotransmission.

The Histaminergic Signaling System Exerts a Neuroprotective Role against Neurodegenerative-Induced Processes in the Hamster

The neurotoxic 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a freckled milk vetch-derived inhibitor of mitochondrial enzymatic processes that is capable of mimicking the typical pathological features of neurodegenerative disorders, behaved in a differentiated manner in a hibernating rodent (hamster) with respect to a nonhibernating rodent (rat). Treatment of the two rodents with both an acute and chronic 3-NP dose supplied deleterious neuronal effects due to distinct histamine receptor (H(n)R) transcriptional activities, especially in the case of the rat. In hamsters, these treatment modalities accounted for overall reduced global activity in a freely moving environment and overt motor symptoms such as hindlimb dystonia and clasping with respect to the greater abnormal motor behaviors in rats. This behavioral difference appeared to be strongly related to qualitative fewer neuronal alterations and, namely, lesser crenated cell membranes, swollen mitochondria, and darkened nuclei in hamster brain areas. Moreover, a mixed H(1,3)R mRNA expression pattern was reported for both rodents treated with a chronic 3-NP dose as demonstrated by predominantly low H1R mRNA levels (>50%) in rat striatum and cortex, whereas extremely high H3R levels (>80%) characterized the lateral and central amygdala nuclei plus the striatum of hamsters. Interestingly, the H3R antagonist (thioperamide) blocked 3-NP-dependent behaviors plus induced an up-regulation of H1R levels in mainly the above-reported hamster amygdalar nuclei. Overall, these results show, for the first time, that a major protective role against neurodegenerative events appears to be strongly related to the expression activity of H(1,3)R subtypes of amygdalar neurons in this hibernating model.