Effect of water and physiological saline solution on mast cells in the peritoneal fluid of the rat and hamster

Abstract

Water and physiological saline solution were injected, in varying doses, into the rat and hamster, and the mast cells and eosinophils were counted in chambers. In addition, smears were prepared of all the specimens. Water can irreversibly disrupt the mast cells. Regeneration of the mast cells in the peritoneal fluid sets in two weeks and is completed six weeks after the injection of water. The mast cell appears to be more sensitive than the eosinophil leucocyte to the influence of water. Injection of physiological saline solution was followed by degranulation, interpreted as a sign of physiological activity of the cell, viz. an attempt to bind fluid. Disruption and degranulation of the mast cells have been observed in many previous experiments. On the basis of all experiments, an increased quantity of fluid in the cell environments may be imagined to be a factor provoking degranulation. This theory is discussed.