The effects of histamine on dissociated neostriatal neurones of the rat were investigated in the whole-cell mode using the nystatin-perforated patch recording technique. 2. Histamine evoked a net inward current accompanied by a decrease in the membrane conductance at a holding potential (Vh) of -44 mV. This response was observed in neurones considered to be interneurones based on morphology, membrane properties and the responsiveness to acetylcholine. 3. A net inward current evoked by 10(-8) to 10(-6) M histamine was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the H1 receptor antagonists, pyrilamine and triprolidine. The H1 receptor agonists, 2-methylhistamine and 2-thiazolylethylamine, mimicked the histamine response, indicating that this response was mediated by the H1 receptor. 4. Histamine, at high concentrations between 10(-6) and 10(-5) M, evoked an additional net inward current with a decrease in the membrane conductance, which was inhibited by the H2 receptor antagonists, cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine. The H2 receptor agonist, impromidine, partially mimicked the response. Thus, this additional current was considered to be mediated by the H2 receptor. 5. The reversal potentials for H1 and H2 receptor-operated currents shifted 56.9 and 59.3 mV for a 10-fold change in [K+]o, respectively, suggesting that these currents were carried by K+. 6. An analysis of change in current fluctuations mediated by H1 and H2 receptors suggested that the unitary current amplitudes of K+ channels linked to H1 and H2 receptors were 0.29 +/- 0.06 (n = 4) and 0.27 +/- 0.07 pA (n = 4), respectively. There was no significant difference between these values. The estimated mean life times (tau) for both channels were also identical (1.1 ms). 7. It was concluded that histamine reduces K+ currents in neostriatal interneurones and that both H1 and H2 receptors are involved in the response.
