Central nervous system histamine regulates peripheral sympathetic activity.

Brain histamine (HA) was depleted in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats by central administration of alpha-fluoromethyl-histidine (alpha-FMH), an irreversible inhibitor of the HA synthesizing enzyme. Isotonic or hypertonic saline was infused intravenously at 10 microliters.100 g-1.min-1 for 30 min and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored. In addition, plasma vasopressin (AVP) and norepinephrine (NE) were measured pre- and postinfusion. Animals pretreated with alpha-FMH showed a delayed and attenuated pressor response and bradycardia during hypertonic saline (HTS) infusion and a significant reduction in plasma NE levels (-29 +/- 8% below control values). However, plasma concentrations of AVP were similar in both groups. Central pretreatment with the H1-antagonist pyrilamine (PYR) also delayed the onset and significantly attenuated the pressor response to HTS infusion, and caused dose-related decreases in plasma NE concentrations (-34 +/- 8, -47 +/- 5, and -52 +/- 7% after 60, 100, and 600 nmol PYR, respectively). These data indicate a role for central HA in peripheral sympathetic activation but not as a mediator of AVP release to a peripheral hyperosmotic stimulus.