Inhibition of immediate hypersensitivity reactions by disodium cromoglycate.

The ability of disodium cromoglycate to inhibit IgE-mediated cutaneous anaphylaxis in the rat and release of histamine from peritoneal mast cells has been studied. Only when drug and antigen were presented to the sensitized cells simultaneously was a dose-dependent inhibition demonstrable. After the drug had been given alone, in the absence of antigen, either or it had little or no action when given again at antigen challenge. , this refractory state was reversible. It is suggested that disodium cromoglycate may act by releasing some factor capable of inhibiting the release of mediators from the mast cell.