The effect of H 1 and H 2 receptor antagonists on melanogenesis.
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Date
2012-01
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Abstract
Background: Histamine was found to stimulate melanogenesis in cultured human melanocytes specifically mediated by histamine H 2 receptors via protein kinase A activation. Based on this finding, the effect of topically applied H 2 antagonist on UVB-irradiated Guinea pigs' skin was examined and found to be suppressive on the post-irradiation melanogenesis. Aims: In this study, we tried to explore the role of topically applied H 1 and H 2 receptor antagonists, in inhibition of UVB-induced melanization. Methods: The effect of topically applied H 1 and H 2 receptor antagonists in inhibition of melanization was done clinically and histochemically using Fontana Masson and DOPA reactions compared with placebo. Results: The post-irradiation pigmentation was found to be brownish/black instead of the original light brown color. This color change occurred below the shaved orange-red fur suggesting a switch of melanogenesis from pheomelanin to eumelanin. The induced pigmentation was suppressed by topically applied H 2 antagonist while both H 1 antagonist and vehicle had no effect. The microscopic examination showed that the keratinocytes in the H 2 antagonist-treated areas contained few melanosomes while the nearby dendrites are full of them. Conclusion: H 2 antagonists' inhibition of UVB-induced pigmentation is not only due to suppression of melanization but also due to a specific action on melanosomes' transfer.
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Keywords
H 1 blocker, H 2 blocker, histamine, melanocytes, melanosome transfer, melanogenesis
Citation
Anbar Tag S, Westerhof Wiete, Badawy Nafisa A, Abdel-Rahman Amal T, Abd El-Raheem Talal A, Sayed Saadea R, Ali Azza H, Salem Hossam. The effect of H 1 and H 2 receptor antagonists on melanogenesis. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2012 Jan-Feb; 78(1): 64-67.