Central endogenous histamine modulates sympathetic outflow through H3 receptors in the conscious rabbit

1. This study examined the role of histamine H(3) receptors in vagal and sympathetic autonomic reflexes in the conscious rabbit, and in rabbit and guinea-pig isolated right atria. 2. The baroreceptor-heart rate reflex (baroreflex), Bezold-Jarisch-like and nasopharyngeal reflexes were assessed after these treatments (i.v.; with H(1) and H(2) receptor block): (i) vehicle (saline; n=11); (ii) H(3) receptor agonist, (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (R-alpha-MH) 100 micro g kg(-1)+100 micro g kg(-1) h(-1) (n=9); (iii) H(3) receptor antagonist, thioperamide 1 mg kg(-1)+1 mg kg(-1) h(-1) (n=11); (iv) R-alpha-MH and thioperamide (n=6); and (v) H(2) and H(3) antagonist, burimamide 6.3 mg kg(-1)+6.3 mg kg(-1) h(-1) (n=4). 3. R-alpha-MH caused a thioperamide-sensitive fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 8+/-1 mmHg and tachycardia of 18+/-2 bpm (P<0.0005). Burimamide was without effect, however thioperamide elicited an increase in MAP of 4+/-1 mmHg (P<0.01), but no change in heart rate (HR). 4. R-alpha-MH caused a 44% decrease in the average gain of the baroreflex (P=0.0001); this effect was antagonised by thioperamide. Thioperamide caused a parallel rightward shift in the barocurve with an increase in MAP of 5 mmHg (P<0.05). Burimamide had no effect on the baroreflex. The vagally mediated bradycardia elicited by the Bezold-Jarisch and nasopharyngeal reflexes was unaffected by H(3) receptor ligand administration. 5. R-alpha-MH (