Liver alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase: inhibition and potentiation by histamine agonists and antagonists.

1. The in vitro effects of histamine, some other H1- and H2-receptor agonists and some antagonists were studied on the specific activities and kinetics of rat liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), and cytoplasmic and mitochondrial liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). 2. Histamine (H1- and H2-agonist) non-competitively inhibited ADH. There were no changes of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial liver ALDH activities in the presence of 2-(2-aminoethyl) pyridine. 3. Betazole (H2-receptor agonist) produced a competitive inhibition of mitochondrial ALDH but not of ADH or cytoplasmic ALDH. 4. Diphenhydramine (H1-receptor antagonist) non-competitively inhibited ADH at a lower concentration. It stimulated mitochondrial ALDH activity without changes in cytoplasmic ALDH from control values. 5. Burimamide (H2-receptor antagonist) produced a biphasic and dose-dependent stimulation and non-competitive inhibition of ADH and it non-competitively inhibited ALDH in both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions. Metiamide (H2-receptor antagonist) non-competitively inhibited all ADH and ALDH of both liver fraction studied. 6. It is concluded that liver ADH and ALDH activity can be altered by compounds which affect both H1- and H2-histamine receptors and that these compounds may cause an in vivo potentiation and/or reduction of the toxic effect of ethanol.