Serotonin- and histamine-affecting agents and experimental vascular sensitization

Abstract

1. 1. Nine serotonin- and histamine-affecting drugs were studied for an evaluation of their effects upon the development of lesions of hypersensitivity vasculitis produced in rabbits by passive reversed subanaphylactic sensitization techniques with bovine serum antigens. 2. 2. Only promethazine and cyproheptadine, with both potent antiserotonin and antihistamine actions, and the combination of chlorpromazine and tripelennamine were effective in suppressing and attenuating microscopic lesions of pulmonary periarteritis and panarteritis. 3. 3. Those pharmacologic agents whose actions include serotonin antagonism (brom-lysergic diethylamide, chlorpromazine, and hydroxyzine), serotonin release (reserpine), serotonin potentiation (iproniazid), and antihistaminics (tripelennamine and diphenhydramine) were relatively ineffective within the limits of this experimental procedure. 4. 4. It is suggested that the development of hypersensitivity vasculitis in the rabbit may be dependent upon multiple pathophysiologic processes, including those associated with tissue response to both serotonin and histamine release.