Effects of SK&F 93944 (Temelastine), a potent histamine H1-receptor antagonist in pharmacologic and antigen-induced...

SK&F 93944, a previously reported non-sedating histamine H1-receptor antagonist, was evaluated for its ability to block pharmacologic-and antigen-induced bronchoconstriction. In the isolated guinea pig trachea, SK&F 93944 (10(-9)-10(-7) M) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of contractions produced by histamine (pKB = 9.5). Another histamine antagonist, mepyramine (10(-8)-10(-6) M), was less potent (pKB = 8.5). SK&F 93944 (10(-8), 10(-7) M) also significantly depressed the rapid initial phase of antigen-induced contraction of the guinea pig trachea from animals actively sensitized to ovalbumin, while having no effect on the later, more protracted phase of the contractile response. In anesthetized mongrel dogs, selective inhibition of histamine (20 micrograms/kg, i.v.)-induced bronchoconstriction was achieved by SK&F 93944 in doses as low as 30 micrograms/kg, i.v. Terfenadine, a purportedly selective histamine H1-receptor antagonist, blocked both histamine and acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction at doses similar to SK&F 93944. In mongrel dogs natively allergic to Ascaris suum antigen, pretreatment with aerosols of either SK&F 93944 or mepyramine (1%; 50 tidal breaths) significantly inhibited bronchospasm elicited by increasing aerosol concentrations of antigen. Thus, SK&F 93944 is a highly potent, selective histamine H1-receptor antagonist which is efficacious vs. pharmacologic and antigen-induced bronchoconstriction.