Renal histamine H1 and H2 receptors: characterization and functional significance

Canine experiments were designed to determine if both histamine H1 and H2 receptors are present in the renal circulation. Renal blood flow (RBF) increased steeply over the first minute of intra-arterial histamine infusion, then increased gradually to a plateau in 3--5 min. Infusion of either histamine + H2 antagonist or of H1 agonist produced the initial rapid increase in RBF, whereas infusion of either histamine + H1 antagonist or of H2 antagonist produced a slower but more sustained increase in RBF. Histamine significantly increased urine flow rate (V), chloride excretion, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Infusion of the H2 agonist also increased V and Cl excretion without affecting GFR. By contrast H1 agonist significantly reduced V and Cl excretion and tended to reduce GFR (P less than 0.1 greater than 0.05). Histamine, H1 agonist, and H2 agonist each increased inner cortical more than outer cortical blood flow. These data suggest that 1) H1 and H2 receptors are present in the renal vasculature, 2) changes in intrarenal blood flow distribution are not responsible for histamine-induced diuresis, and 3) H1 receptors are primarily postglomerular while H2 receptors exhibit both pre- and postglomerular distribution.