Objective To explore the effect of histamine H_3 receptors in nucleus tractus solitarius(NTS) on c-Fos expression in the brain of rats with asthma onset.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were sensitized with ovalbumin to induce asthma using central stereotaxic and microinjection techniques.The model rats were randomly divided into three groups,injected NS,R-α-methylhistamine(RMHA,a H_3 receptor receptors agonist),and thioperamide(Thio,a H_3 receptors antagonist)+RMHA into NTS respectively.Fos positive cells distributed in different nucleus were detected by immunohistochemistry SABC method after the challenge one hour later.Results After microinjection 1?μg RMHA into NTS at the onset of asthma,the number of Fos positive cell and Fos density presented in NTS,periventricular hypothalamic nucleus(Pe),hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus(Pa),and raraventricular thalamic nucleus(PVN) decreased markedly((P<)(0.01)).These effects can be blocked by pre-treatment with 5?μg microinjection of Thiop into NTS.Conclusion This study suggests that histamine H_3 receptors in NTS can ameliorate asthma via regulating some neurons in Pa,Pe and PVN. |