Astemizole is a second generation antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms. H1-antihistamines interfere with the agonist action of histamine at the H1 receptor and are administered to attenuate inflammatory process in order to treat conditions such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and urticaria. H1-antihistamines act on H1 receptors in T-cells to inhibit the immune response, in blood vessels to constrict dilated blood vessels, and in smooth muscles of lungs and intestines to relax those muscles. Allergies causes blood vessel dilation which causes swelling (edema) and fluid leakage. Astemizole inhibits the H1 histamine receptor on blood vessel endothelial cells. This normally activates the Gq signalling cascade which activates phospholipase C which catalyzes the production of Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and Diacylglycerol (DAG). Because of the inhibition, IP3 doesn't activate the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and DAG doesn't activate the release of calcium into the cytosol of the endothelial cell. This causes a low concentration of calcium in the cytosol, and it, therefore, cannot bind to calmodulin. Calcium bound calmodulin is required for the activation of the calmodulin-binding domain of nitric oxide synthase. The inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis prevents the activation of myosin light chain phosphatase. This causes an accumulation of myosin light chain-phosphate which causes the muscle to contract and the blood vessel to constrict, decreasing the swelling and fluid leakage from the blood vessels caused by allergens.

Astemizole H1-Antihistamine Blood Vessel Constriction Pathway References