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Purpose: This study attempted to clarify the role of histamine or histamine H1 receptors in the development of amygdaloid kindling by using histidine decarboxylase (HDC)-deficient and histamine H1 receptor (H1R)-deficient mice. Methods: Under pentobarbital anesthesia, mice were fixed to a stereotaxic apparatus, and bipolar electrodes were implanted into the right amygdala. Electrodes were connected to a miniature receptacle, which was embedded in the skull with dental cement. A bipolar electroencephalogram was recorded; bipolar stimulation of the amygdala was applied every day with a constant-current stimulator and continued until a generalized convulsion was obtained. Results: The development of amygdaloid kindling in HDC-deficient and H1R-deficient mice was significantly accelerated compared with that in their respective wild-type mice. In addition, the afterdischarge (AD) duration and generalized seizure duration in HDC-deficient and H1R-deficient mice were prolonged. Intraperitoneal injection of histidine resulted in an inhibition of amygdaloid kindled seizures in wild-type mice at doses that caused an increase in the histamine contents of the brain. However, no significant effect was observed with histidine in H1R-deficient mice at the same dose. Conclusions: These findings suggest that histaminergic mechanisms through H1 receptors play a crucial role not only in amygdaloid kindled seizures but also in the development of amygdaloid kindling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of histamine H3 antagonist, iodophenpropit on amygdaloid kindled seizures in rats was studied in comparison with those of other H3 antagonists. Under pentobarbital anesthesia, the rats were fixed to a stereotaxic apparatus and bipolar electrodes were implanted into the amygdala. Electrodes were connected to a miniature receptacle, which was embedded in the skull with dental cement. To cause kindled seizures, electrical stimulation was applied to the amygdala bipolarly every day by a constant current stimulator, and electroencephalogram and convulsive behavior were observed. Drug effects were estimated in rats showing generalized kindled seizures. Intraperitoneal injection of H3 antagonists, iodophenpropit, thioperamide, AQ0145 and clobenpropit, resulted in a dose-related inhibition of amygdaloid kindled seizures. The effect of iodophenpropit on amygdaloid kindled seizures was more potent than those of thioperamide, AQ0145 and clobenpropit. In conclusion, iodophenpropit may be useful for the treatment of partial epilepsy and/or secondary generalized seizures in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The epileptogenic activities induced by histamine H1 antagonists in amygdala-kindled rats were studied in comparison with activities in nonkindled rats (sham rats). Intraperitoneal injection of pyrilamine, diphenhydramine and ketotifen resulted in behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG)-detected seizures in amygdala-kindled rats at doses which caused no or negligible seizures in sham rats. On the other hand, loratadine and cetirizine caused no behavioral or EEG seizures in either amygdala-kindled or sham rats even at a dose of 40 mg/kg. In conclusion, first-generation H1 antagonists likely elicit epileptogenic activity in amygdala-kindled rats more potent than that in sham rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a critical role in cell proliferation and oncogenesis. To clarify the role of cytoplasmic accumulation of β-catenin in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the cDNA of a mutant form of β-catenin that lacks the entire region with the glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK-3β)-specific phosphorylation site was transfected into Ca9-22 cells whose β-catenin had been expressed predominantly at the membrane, and permanent cell lines expressing aberrant β-catenin in the cytoplasm and nucleus were produced. These transfectants, C1 and C5, proliferated at similar rates to the parental Ca9-22 cells, but the cell morphology changed from polygonal to spindle-shaped and close cell-cell interaction was lost. These mutant β-catenin-expressing cells exhibited a significantly higher invasion/migration capacity than wild-type Ca9-22 cells. The transcriptional activities of this mutant β-catenin form was enhanced in these cells which could be demonstrated by an elevated level of the transcription factor T-cell factor (Tcf)/lymphoid enhancer factor (Lef)-dependent reporter gene activity as well as by the up-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin target gene matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7. Moreover, we observed the redistribution of E-cadherin, the rearrangement of actin filaments, and the elevation of active Rho family members, Cdc42 and Rac. These results suggest that aberrant cytoplasmic accumulation of β-catenin can induce Tcf/Lef-mediated transcriptional activity, up-regulate MMP-7, and induce epithelial and mesenchymal transition (EMT). This would enhance the invasion and migration of oral SCC cells.