Effects of histamine agents on methamphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior and behavioral sensitization in rats

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1997 Apr;130(4):362-7. doi: 10.1007/s002130050251.

Abstract

In this study, effects of histamine (HA) agents on methamphetamine (METH)-induced stereotyped behavior and behavioral sensitization were examined in rats. Pretreatment with a precursor of HA, L-histidine (750mg/kg), significantly inhibited the METH (3 mg/kg)-induced stereotyped behavior, whereas pretreatment with an inhibitor of HA synthesis, alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (FMH) (100 mg/kg), an H1 antagonist pyrilamine (5 mg/kg) or an H2 antagonist zolantidine (5 mg/kg) enhanced it. The inhibitory effect of L-histidine on METH-induced stereotyped behavior was significantly blocked by coadministration of pyrilamine and zolantidine, indicating that the effect is mediated through H1 and H2 receptors. Moreover, chronic treatment with METH (3 mg/kg) significantly enhanced stereotyped behavior at the rechallenge with METH (1 mg/kg). Chronic treatment with L-histidine (750 mg/kg) plus METH inhibited the METH-induced argumentation of stereotyped behavior, while that with FMH (100 mg/kg), pyrilamine (5 mg/kg) or zolantidine (5 mg/kg) potentiated it. These findings suggest that the HA neuron system has an inhibitory role in METH-induced stereotyped behavior and behavioral sensitization.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / physiology
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / administration & dosage
  • Histamine Agents / pharmacology*
  • Histidine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Methamphetamine / administration & dosage
  • Methylhistidines / pharmacology
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Phenoxypropanolamines
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrilamine / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Histamine / drug effects
  • Receptors, Histamine / physiology*
  • Stereotyped Behavior / drug effects*
  • Stereotyped Behavior / physiology
  • Thiazoles / pharmacology

Substances

  • Benzothiazoles
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Histamine Agents
  • Methylhistidines
  • Phenoxypropanolamines
  • Piperidines
  • Receptors, Histamine
  • Thiazoles
  • Methamphetamine
  • Histidine
  • alpha-fluoromethylhistidine
  • Pyrilamine
  • zolantidine