The effect of orexin-A and -B on the histamine release in the anterior hypothalamus in rats

The neuropeptides orexin-A and -B have been reported to be appetite-stimulating peptides, but they are also known as important factors that control arousal state. We studied the effects of orexin-A and -B on the hypothalamic histamine release using in vivo microdialysis. A significant and sustained increase in histamine release was observed by intracer-ebroventricular injection of 1 nmol of orexin-A, but not by the same dose of orexin-B. An increased dose of orexin-B to 5 nmol facilitated histamine release, although this effect was much less potent than orexin-A. These findings suggest that both of the orexins play important roles in the regulation of waking through the activation of histaminergic system. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.