Histamine receptors on submucous neurons in guinea pig colon

Intracellular microelectrodes were used to investigate the actions of histamine in the submucous plexus of the distal colon of the guinea pig. Three effects resulted from application of histamine to submucous neurons. The first was membrane depolarization associated with increased input resistance and augmented excitability. The second was presynaptic suppression of acetylcholine release at nicotinic synapses. The third occurred during long-term application and consisted of recurrent trains of action potentials associated with periodic depolarization of membrane potential. Pharmacological analysis, with selective agonists and antagonists, suggested mediation of the first and third response by postsynaptic histamine H2 receptors. The second response was mediated by presynaptic histamine H3 receptors. These actions of histamine represent a mechanism for neuroimmune signaling between mucosal mast cells and submucous neurons in gastrointestinal type 1 hypersensitivity reactions to allergens.