ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of histamine on the neurotoxicity induced by beta-amyloid(1-42)(Abeta42) in rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease was constructed with A beta42-treated PC12 cells. Cell morphology and MTT assay were used to evaluate the cell toxicity and histamine effects. The different histamine antagonists were applied to investigate the involvement of receptor subtypes.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The neurotoxicity was induced by A beta42 in a concentration-dependent manner, which was reversed by histamine at concentration of 10(-7), 10(-6) mol/L. The effect was reversed by H(2) antagonist zolantidine and H(3)antagonist clobenpropit, but not by H(1) antagonist diphenhydramine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Histamine reduces neurotoxicity induced by beta-amyloid(1-42), which may be mediated by H(2) and H(3)receptors.</p>