Tissue Mast Cells, Histamine and ‘Slow Reacting Substance’ in Anaphylactic Reaction in Guinea Pig

Abstract

Abstract Anaphylactic reaction was produced in vitro in isolated guinea‐pig tissue. Histamine and ‘slow reacting substance’ (‘SRS’) in different tissues occurred in amounts proportional to the mast‐cell population. The occurrence of these substances was attended with a reduction of the number of tissue mast cells. When the appearance of histamine and ‘SRS’ was blocked by enzyme inhibitors, there was no decrease in mast cells. It is suggested that the tissue mast cells may be the common source of both histamine and ‘SRS’ in anaphylactic reaction.