Inotropic effects of histamine in human myocardium: differentiation between positive and negative components

Histamine is known to enhance the contractility of the human myocardium in vitro. We have observed that when the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine (or ranitidine) blocks the positive inotropic effect of histamine in spontaneously beating pectinate muscles isolated from human right atrial appendage, a negative inotropic effect is unmasked. This decrease in contractility is independent of changes in rate, as it occurs in preparations paced at constant rate, is mimicked by the H1-receptor agonist 2-(2-thiazolyl)-ethylamine (ThEA) and is abolished by the H1-antagonist pyrilamine. Thus, the negative inotropic effect of histamine appears to be mediated by H1-receptors. Our data indicate that the inotropic response of the human myocardium to histamine consists of two opposing components: an increase in contraction, mediated by H2-receptors, and a decrease in contraction, mediated by H1-receptors. Given the widespread use of H2-blockers and the multitude of clinical conditions in which histamine is released, there may well be circumstances in which an H1-response predominates. This could result in a decrease in myocardial contractility.