Inhibition of immediate hypersensitivity reactions in laboratory animals by a phenanthroline salt (ICI 74,917).

1. The activity of a new anti-allergic compound, I.C.I. 74,917, has been studied in the rat, mouse and guinea-pig. 2. Following intravenous administration, I.C.I. 74,917 inhibits in a dose-dependent manner passive cutaneous anaphylaxis induced in rats and mice by heat-labile homocytotropic antibody. In rats, its potency is approximately 300 times that of disodium cromoglycate. 3. To achieve maximal inhibition, it is necessary to administer I.C.I. 74,917 at the same time as antigenic challenge; dosing before or after challenge has much less effect. 4. Liberation of histamine, provoked by the antigenic challenge of mast cells passively sensitized in vitro by IgE-like antibody, is reduced in the presence of I.C.I. 74,917. 5. Intravenous administration of the compound has no significant effect upon local blueing reactions provoked in the rat by intradermal injection of histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine or Compound 48/80. It has only a slight effect at high doses upon passive cutaneous anaphylaxis induced in the rat by heat-stable homocytotropic or heterologous (guinea-pig) antibodies. 6. Although not a bronchodilator in the guinea-pig, I.C.I. 74,917 partially inhibits systemic anaphylaxis. A consistent reduction in the severity of antigen-induced bronchospasm was demonstrated in the Konzett-Rossler preparation at doses comparable to those inhibiting passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the rat. However, there was only slight inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the guinea-pig. 7. I.C.I. 74,917 itself induces bronchospasm when administered to anaesthetized guinea-pigs or to a guinea-pig isolated lung preparation. This effect is reversed by salbutamol, but is not prevented by the prior administration of mepyramine, atropine or methysergide. 8. These results indicate that in the rat, mouse and guinea-pig, I.C.I. 74,917 is a potent inhibitor of certain types of immediate hypersensitivity reactions.