A method for evaluating anti-allergic drugs by simultaneously induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and mediator cutaneous reactions.

Homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was induced by IgE antibody and, simultaneously, cutaneous reactions were induced by some allergic mediators such as histamine, serotonin and leukotriene (LT) C4 on rat back skin. Disodium cromoglycate and tranilast with inhibitory actions on mediator release inhibited PCA specifically, whereas antihistaminics, including ketotifen, azelastine, mequitazine and diphenhydramine, inhibited histamine- and serotonin-induced cutaneous reactions as well as PCA. Anti-slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis drugs, KC-404 and FPL-55712, significantly inhibited PCA and histamine- and serotonin-induced reactions, but at the same doses they did not produce significant inhibition of the LTC4-induced reaction. All reactions tested were strongly inhibited dose dependently with the beta stimulants, salbutamol and isoproterenol, and a xanthine derivative, theophylline, which are known to increase the intracellular cyclic AMP level. We think that this method enables the determination of the properties of anti-allergic drugs.