Antianaphylactic effects of dipivalyl epinephrine and related compounds in rat conjunctiva.

Topically applied dipivalyl epinephrine (DPE) and related compounds have been found to inhibit passive anaphylactic reaction in rat conjunctiva. The order of activity is as follows: isoproterenol greater than DPE greater than epinephrine greater than norepinephrine. The antianaphylactic effect of DPE was antagonized by propranolol but was not affected by phentolamine. The effects of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and isoproterenol were also antagonized by propranolol but potentiated by pentolamine. From these findings, it was suggested that DPE not only exerts its antianaphylactic action through activation of beta-adrenergic receptor but also itself has a little different action from epinephrine.