Abstract
CLONIDINE (2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]-2-imidazoline) is a potent antihypertensive agent whose site of action is believed to be in the central nervous system1 but its mechanism of action is far from clear. Because of its effects on peripheral tissue, it has been generally accepted that the drug stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors1. A recent report has, however, challenged this view: far from stimulating the receptors responsible for the accumulation of cyclic AMP in rat cortex, the drug seems to act as a potent alpha-adrenergic antagonist2. On the other hand, clonidine has been reported to stimulate gastric secretion by activation of histamine H2 receptors3. It was therefore of interest to check whether clonidine could also act on H2 receptors in brain tissues where they have been characterised4–6. We now report that clonidine strongly stimulates the accumulation of cyclic AMP in slices from guinea pig brain through activation of H2 receptors.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Schmitt, H., Actualités pharmacologiques, 24, 93–131 (1971).
Skolnick, P., and Daly, J. W., Molec. Pharmac., 11, 545–551 (1975).
Karppanen, H. O., and Westermann, E., Naunyn Schmiedeberg's Archs. Pharmac., 279, 83–87 (1973).
Baudry, M., Martres, M. P., and Schwartz, J. C., Nature, 253, 362–363 (1975).
Haas, H. L., and Bucher, U. M., Nature, 255, 634–635 (1975).
Hegstrand, L. R., Kanof, P. D., and Greengard, P., Nature, 260, 163–165 (1976).
Black, J. W., Duncan, W. A. M., Emmet, J. C., Ganellin, C. R., Hesselbo, T., Parsons, M. E., and Wyllie, J. H., Agents and Actions, 3, 133–137 (1973).
Csongraby, A., and Kobinger, W., Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archs. Pharmac., 282, 123–129 (1974).
Finch, L., and Hicks, P. E., Br. J. Pharmac., 274P–275P (1975).
Karppanen, H. O., Paakkari, I., Paakkari, P. Huotari, R., and Orma, A. L., Nature, 259, 587–588 (1976).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
AUDIGIER, Y., VIRION, A. & SCHWARTZ, JC. Stimulation of cerebral histamine H2 receptors by clonidine. Nature 262, 307–308 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/262307a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/262307a0
This article is cited by
-
Dipropylacetate-induced quasi-morphine abstinence behaviour in the rat: Suppression by α2-Adrenoceptor stimulation
Psychopharmacology (1983)
-
Antagonism of behavioural depression produced by clonidine in the mongolian gerbil: a potential screening test for antidepressant drugs
Psychopharmacology (1983)
-
Cerebral Histamine: Indications for Neuronal and Vascular Regulation
Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (1982)
-
Possible involvement of endogenous histamine in the myotropic effect of clonidine on the isolated rabbit aorta
Agents and Actions (1978)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
