Effects of the antihistaminergic drugs diphenhydramine and zolantidine on vestibular-induced hypothalamic neuronal activity in the guinea pig.

Abstract

The mode of action of diphenhydramine in treating motion sickness is unknown. Using an electrophysiologic technique, we investigated the effects of intravenous diphenhydramine and zolantidine on the changes in neuronal activity produced by caloric stimulation in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the guinea pig. Changes in neuronal activity were modulated by the administration of diphenhydramine in a high percentage of the neurons tested (71%), while zolantidine affected only a small number (29%). This finding reinforces the involvement of a histaminergic system in vestibular autonomic responses. The modulatory effect of diphenhydramine on PVN neuron activity may explain in part this drug's efficacy in treating motion sickness.

• Authors: A Inokuchi, F Liu, S Yokomitsu, M Ureshino, S Komiyama
• Journal: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol) Vol. 256 Suppl 1 Pg. S22-6 ( 1999) ISSN: 0937-4477 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 10337522 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Benzothiazoles
• Histamine H1 Antagonists
• Phenoxypropanolamines
• Piperidines
• Thiazoles
• Diphenhydramine
• zolantidine

Topics

• Animals
• Benzothiazoles
• Caloric Tests
• Diphenhydramine (pharmacology)
• Guinea Pigs
• Histamine H1 Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Hypothalamus (drug effects, physiology)
• Injections, Intravenous
• Male
• Neurons (drug effects, physiology)
• Phenoxypropanolamines
• Piperidines (pharmacology)
• Thiazoles (pharmacology)
• Vestibule, Labyrinth (drug effects, physiology)