Hepatic Reactions in Anaphylaxis

Abstract

Summary During the first two minutes of typical anaphylactic shock in intact dogs, the uterus, urinary bladder, and intestines are thrown into sharp contraction. These typical anaphylactic contractions do not take place on intravenous injection of specific foreign protein into dehepatized anaphylactic dogs. We, therefore, believe the smooth muscle contractions here considered are due to chemical products (hepatic anaphylatoxins), explosively formed or liberated by the anaphylactic liver, products having a histamine-like effect on smooth muscle structures.