Sleep and waking during acute histamine H3 agonist BP 2.94 or H3 antagonist carboperamide (MR 16155) administration in rats

The present study evaluated the effects of histamine H3 receptor agonist BP 2.94 or H3 receptor antagonist carboperamide (MR 16155) given by oral route on sleep and waking in rats surgically prepared for long-term recordings. BP 2.94 produced a significant increase of slow-wave sleep (SWS) that was related to slight decreases of waking, light sleep, and REM sleep. Carboperamide significantly increased waking and decreased SWS and REM sleep. Pretreatment with carboperamide prevented the effect of BP 2.94 on SWS. It is suggested that the effects of BP 2.94 or carboperamide on sleep and waking could depend on changes in the availability of histamine at the postsynaptic H1 receptor. Alternatively, activation or blockade of the H3 heteroreceptors found in the central catecholamine, indolamine, and acetylcholine nerve endings could inhibit or increase the release of noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine. This would secondarily result in changes of sleep variables.