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Prolactin responses to histamine H2 receptor antagonists
Acta Endocrinologica
|November 1, 1980
Summary
Cimetidine increases serum prolactin levels, but SK&F 92994, a potent histamine H2 receptor antagonist, does not. This suggests cimetidine
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Histamine H2 receptor antagonists are used to treat acid-related disorders.
- Cimetidine is known to increase serum prolactin levels.
- The mechanism behind cimetidine-induced prolactin elevation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of cimetidine and a more potent H2 antagonist, SK&F 92994, on serum prolactin.
- To investigate the role of histamine H2 receptors in mediating prolactin release.
- To assess if impromidine, an H2 receptor agonist, affects the prolactin response to cimetidine.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous administration of cimetidine and SK&F 92994 in varying doses.
- Intravenous infusion of impromidine.
- Measurement of serum prolactin levels before and after drug administration.
Main Results:
- Cimetidine (200 mg IV bolus) significantly increased serum prolactin.
- SK&F 92994 (50 mg and 200 mg IV bolus) had no effect on serum prolactin.
- Impromidine infusion did not alter the prolactin response to cimetidine.
Conclusions:
- The prolactin-elevating effect of cimetidine after intravenous administration may be specific to cimetidine itself.
- The observed effect is unlikely to be mediated through histamine H2 receptors.
- While less likely, a central nervous system histaminergic pathway involvement cannot be entirely ruled out.