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Role of histamine in motion sickness in Suncus murinus
1Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
The levels of histamine (HA) and tele-methylhistamine (t-MH) were determined in five brain regions of Suncus murinus (suncus) and the effects of motion stimulus or drugs influencing the turnover of these amines were studied to elucidate the role of histamine in motion sickness. Shaking the animals for 2 min increased HA contents in telencephalon and diencephalon without significantly changing the t-MH levels. alpha-Fluoromethylhistidine (alpha-FMH), which is presumed to deplete the neuronal HA, tended to raise the HA levels. alpha-FMH slightly alleviated the vomiting response to motion stimulus and suppressed the HA increase in diencephalon caused by shaking. Compound 48/80, which releases HA from mast cells, did not alter the control HA levels, but effectively prevented the motion sickness and completely suppressed the motion-induced rises in HA levels. These results provide further evidence that brain HA plays an important role in the development of motion sickness.
Insights
Brain histamine (HA) plays a key role in motion sickness. Studies show motion increases HA in the brain, and drugs affecting HA levels can prevent sickness symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Histamine (HA) is a neurotransmitter implicated in various physiological processes.
- The role of brain histamine in the complex mechanisms of motion sickness remains incompletely understood.
- Understanding HA's involvement could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for motion sickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of brain histamine in the development of motion sickness.
- To examine the effects of motion stimulus and specific drugs on histamine levels in the brain.
- To correlate changes in brain HA with the incidence and severity of motion sickness.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of histamine (HA) and tele-methylhistamine (t-MH) levels in five brain regions of Suncus murinus.
- Administration of alpha-Fluoromethylhistidine (alpha-FMH) to assess its impact on HA depletion and motion sickness.
- Administration of Compound 48/80 to evaluate its effect on HA release and motion sickness prevention.
- Exposure of animals to motion stimulus (shaking) to induce and measure motion sickness.
Main Results:
- Shaking increased HA levels in the telencephalon and diencephalon, but not t-MH.
- alpha-FMH administration showed a trend towards increasing HA levels and slightly alleviated vomiting, suppressing motion-induced HA increases.
- Compound 48/80 prevented motion sickness and completely abolished motion-induced HA level elevations.
- These findings suggest a direct link between brain HA and motion sickness pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Brain histamine is a critical modulator in the development of motion sickness.
- Modulating brain HA levels, particularly through mast cell degranulation, offers a promising avenue for preventing motion sickness.
- Further research into histamine pathways could yield effective anti-motion sickness treatments.