GABAB Receptor-Mediated Inhibition of Histamine H1-Receptor-Induced Inositol Phosphate Formation in Slices of Rat Cerebral Cortex

Histamine-stimulated accumulation of 3H]inositol monophosphate (3H]IP1) in lithium-treated slices of rat cerebral cortex was inhibited by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (IC50 0.30 +/- 0.03 mM). The maximum level of inhibition was 69 +/- 2%. GABA alone caused a small stimulation of basal accumulation of 3H]IP1. The inhibitory action of GABA on the response to histamine was mimicked by the GABAB agonist (-)-baclofen, IC50 0.69 +/- 0.04 microM, which was 430-fold more potent as an inhibitor than the (+)-isomer. (-)-Baclofen also inhibited histamine-induced formation of 3H]inositol bisphosphate (3H]IP2) and 3H] inositol trisphosphate (3H]IP3). Inhibition curves for GABA and for (-)-and and (+)-baclofen had Hill coefficients greater than unity. (-)-Baclofen, at concentrations that caused inhibition of histamine-induced 3H]IP1 accumulation, did not alter the basal level of 3H]IP1 or the incorporation of 3H]inositol into total inositol phospholipids. Isoguvacine, a GABAA agonist, had no effect on either the histamine-stimulated or basal accumulation of 3H]IP1. GABA had no effect on carbachol-stimulated 3H]IP1 formation.