Search

This ​book provides a comprehensive overview on current histamine and histamine receptor research in context of human health and disease and reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the field. While the editors realize that it is almost impossible to cover the field completely within the constraints of a single HEP volume, nonetheless, all important aspects will be covered in one way or the other. An overarching introductory chapter will link the individual chapters and provide an overview on the field. This chapter will also link the book to the previous HEP volume on histamine receptors and the recent HEP volume on the pharmacology of itch. Great attention will be paid to complementation of existing literature while avoiding undue duplication. The book will cover new methods for analysis of histamine and histamine metabolites, development of methods for histamine receptor analysis, signal transduction, histamine release, regulation of immune cells by histamine, histamine metabolism and associated diseases, regulation of major organ systems by histamine and development of new drugs and experimental tools for the study of histamine receptors.

Together with the two previous volumes of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology on histamine and antihistamines the present publication yields a picture of a still rapidly developing field of research. New techniques and new experimental approaches have brought us new knowledge and deeper insight into the biomedical significance of histamine, even if many questions remain to be answered about the functional and medical implications of this old biogenic amine. The present volume covers the progress in histamine research during the past two decades. A significant chapter concerns techniques for histamine determination. As the result of a consensus meeting in Munich in December 1988, a panel of eminent specialists arrived at common recommendations as to the usefulness of the available histamine assays for the most common experimental biomedical conditions. The heterogeneity of mast cells, with great differences in their reactivity to various stimuli, has become apparent, not only among species but also among the tissues of a species. New informa­ tion is presented about the mechanism of exocytosis. The old questions about the role of histamine in the mechanism of gastric secretion and in cardio­ vascular and respiratory functions have been studied with new techniques, and the role of HI and H2 receptors discussed. New observations have been made on the occurrence and possible functions of histaminergic neurons and histamine receptors in CNS where a new type of receptor, the H, seems to 3 be widely represented.

This work provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on histamine receptors and H1-receptor antagonists, reviewing fundamental science and presenting advances in therapy. It discusses novel H1-receptor antagonists, including loratadine, cetrizine and acrivastine, and examines the role of topical H1-antagonists such as levocabastine and azelastine. The clinical scientific basis of antagonistic use is explored.