Lack of involvement of leukotriene and platelet activating factor in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats.

Possible chemical mediators contributing to 48 hour passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats were investigated. Forty-eight hour PCA was inhibited considerably by mepyramine and methysergide given intravenously, a finding suggestive of a major role for histamine and serotonin in the reaction. AA-861, a selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor did not inhibit the PCA, and leukotriene (LT)D4 or LTE4 and the combination with prostaglandin (PG)E2 had no significant skin reaction. In addition, only small amounts of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) were detected in skin fragments, in vitro. Although CV-3988, a selective platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist, dose-dependently inhibited the PAF-induced skin reaction, the PCA was not affected by treatment with this compound. Indomethacin also had no inhibitory activity on PCA. Thus, sulfidopeptide LTs, PAF and arachidonate cyclooxygenase metabolites probably do not contribute to PCA, at least in rats.