The anti-anaphylactic action of tiaramide hydrochloride.

Tiaramide hydrochloride (THC) is a new basic, non-steroidal, anti-flammatory drug. Its anti-anaphylactic action has been investigated using rat mast cells. It was found that THC exerts a strong inhibitory action on antigen-induced and compound 48/80-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells in a fluorometric assay. Compound 48/80-induced vasodilatation in rat skin is inhibited by prior intradermal injection of THC, as measured by blueing of skin due to intravascular Evans blue dye. THC also inhibits radio-labeled serotonin release from compound 48/80-challenged rat mast cells. In these experimental systems a similar action was exerted by disodium cromoglycate, but higher drug concentrations were needed. Further studies are needed to determine the exact mode of action of this drug and its eventual clinical use in the field of allergic diseases.