Abstract
$[^3H]$ Quinuclidinyl benzilate(QNB) binding assays were performed in the dog ventricular sarcolemma fraction enriched approx. 32-fold in sarcolemma compared to the starting homogenate to elucidate the effect of antihistaminics on cardiac muscarinic receptor. Chlorpheniramine(CHP) inhibited specific binding of $[^3H]$QNB and delayed the equilibrium binding. The rate constants at $37^{\circ}C$ for formation and dissociation of the QNB receptor complex were $0.38{\times}10^9\;M^{-1}$ and $1.6{\times}10^{-2}\;min^{-1}$, respectively. The mean value for the dissociation constant from the pairs of the rate constants was 43. 2 pM and this value was similar to the value(44.8pM) determined from Scatchard analysis. CHP decreased association rate constant, indicating increase in $K_D$ value. Decrease in affinity without affecting the binding site concentration$(B_{max})$ for $[^3H]$QNB binding by CHP was also demonstrated by Scatchard analysis. $K_i$ values for $H_i$-blockers that inhibited specific $[^3H]$QNB binding were $0.02{\sim}4.8{\mu}M$. Cimetidine with $K_i$ value of $230{\mu}M$, however, was ineffective in displacing $[^3H]$QNB binding at concentration of $50{\mu}M$. The Hill coefficient for $H_1$-blockers were about one. The results indicate that $H_1$-antihistaminics inhibit $[^3H]$ QNB binding by interaction with myocardiac muscarinic cholinergic receptor and anticholinergic side effects of these drugs are mainly due to this receptor blocking mechanism.