OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of alahistidine on brain histamine content and seizure development.

METHODSThe kindling seizure was induced by ip injection with subconvulsant dose of pentylenetetrazole every 48 h. Monoamines and their metabolites were measured using a HPLC system and fluorometric assay.

RESULTChronic low histamine feeding markedly decreased histamine content in cortex and hypothalamus, and promoted seizure development induced by pentylenetetrazole. However, alahistidine feed reversed the decreased histamine content and slowed seizure development caused by low histamine feed. Both low histamine and alahistidine feed had no effect on norepinephrine, dopamine and its metabolites.

CONCLUSIONAlahistidine may affect histaminergic system and seizure development.

Animals ; Brain Chemistry ; drug effects ; Carnosine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Histamine ; analysis ; Male ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Histamine H1 ; physiology ; Seizures ; chemically induced