Abstract
METHYLXANTHINES, such as theophylline and caffeine, inhibit the antigen-induced release of histamine and of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from passively sensitised human lung and human basophilic leukocytes1,2. We have shown that these methylxanthines also inhibit a passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reaction mediated by reaginic antibodies in the rat. The methylxanthines are, however, from 20 to 50 times less potent than disodium cromoglycate. Because of the relatively low potency of theophylline and because of its other pharmacological actions, notably as a bronchodilator, it is not clear to what extent inhibition of reagin-mediated anaphylaxis may be important in its use for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma.
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BROUGHTON, B., CHAPLEN, P., KNOWLES, P. et al. New inhibitor of reagin-mediated anaphylaxis. Nature 251, 650–652 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/251650a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/251650a0
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