Influence of Anaerobic Glycolysis on Release of Histamine in the Guinea Pig and Rat Anaphylactic Reaction in vitro

Abstract

AN increase of oxygen uptake has been observed during the anaphylactic reaction in vitro¹, and it has been shown that anaphylactic release of histamine is inhibited by lack of oxygen^2–4. It has also been shown that the anaphylactic reaction is inhibited by uncouplers of the oxidative phosphorylation⁵. It would be expected that the energy-rich compounds formed during the glycolytic cycle would be available for release of histamine, as are those generated in aerobiosis. The present investigation was undertaken in order to see if the anaphylactic reaction depends on oxidative metabolism, or if it could also proceed in the presence of an anaerobic metabolism. The experiments were carried out with both guinea pig and rat tissues, in order to verify any possible difference in their behaviour, since it has recently been suggested that anaphylactic reaction in rat tissues is not affected by lack of oxygen^6,7.