Richard P. Pioch

Endocrine effects of a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, nizatidine (LY139037), in the male rat

A new orally active histamine H2-receptor antagonist, nizatidine (LY139037), was evaluated in male rats for effects on mechanisms regulating accessory sex organ growth and function. Cimetidine antagonized androgen binding to cytosolic receptors in vitro while nizatidine had no effect. Nizatidine and cimetidine were administered at the ED50, 5 X ED50, or 10 X ED50 doses for inhibition of gastric acid secretion previously determined using in vivo dog and rat models. The relative potencies of both agents to antagonize histamine H2-receptor-mediated gastric acid secretory responses have been confirmed in human clinical trials. Neither nizatidine nor cimetidine antagonized the in vivo uptake or nuclear translocation of radiolabeled androgen into the hypothalamic-preoptic-amygdala, pituitary, or ventral prostate. Nizatidine, given at doses equal to and 10 X the ED50 gastric acid secretion inhibitory values, and cimetidine (10 X ED50 value) had no effect on the response of male accessory sex organs to a submaximally stimulating dose of androgen in castrated rats. High doses of dietary nizatidine (greater than 500 mg/kg-day) administered for 6 months did not alter intact rat male accessory sex organ weights or circulating androgen levels relative to untreated controls. Acute administration of either nizatidine or cimetidine produced transient elevations in plasma prolactin (PRL) levels. Cimetidine was more potent and consistent than nizatidine in producing these increases in circulating PRL. The data described herein support the contention that unlike cimetidine, nizatidine is not a pharmacological antagonist of androgen action and has less of a stimulatory effect upon plasma prolactin. Taken together, these studies indicate that in the male rat, nizatidine exhibits a large therapeutic index between its gastric antisecretory activity and potential endocrinological effects.

Inhibition of microsomal biotransformation by a series of nitrogen and oxygen heterocyclic histamine h2-antagonists

A homologous series of potent, long-lasting thiazolo-pyrimidone-pyridine histamine H2-antagonists were examined for their inhibitory effects on rat hepatic ethylmorphine N-demethylation. Inhibitory potency increased in the order: 2-pyridinyl less than 3-pyridinyl less than 4-pyridinyl histamine H2-antagonist. Substitution ortho to the pyridine nitrogen decreased inhibitory potency. Hydroxylation of the pyridine heterocycle decreased inhibitory potency, whereas substituent electronic effects did not appreciably alter the inhibitory potency of these compounds. Antagonists containing oxygen heterocycles were moderately potent inhibitors compared to those containing unsubstituted pyridine as the heterocycle. A 3-(6-methylpyridine) histamine H2-antagonist was shown to be a slightly more potent inhibitor of ethinamate metabolism than cimetidine in rats. However, unlike cimetidine, it did not inhibit the plasma half-life of antipyrine in dogs at doses that were equally efficacious in inhibiting gastric acid secretion.