His symptoms were reproduced and studied. Sodium bicarbonate pre-treatment prevented the anaphylaxis. Two further episodes occasioned a challenged study which confirmed the wheat reactivity and showed that disodium cromoglycate blocked the reaction. The most explosive, immediate, and obvious reactions are mediated by basophil and mast cell degranulation. An allergen meets reactive cells just under the surface of the skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.
Mast cells release three sets of mediators with dramatic, immediate, local and systemic effects.
The big players are histamine, prostaglandins, and cytokines, including leukotrienes B4, C4, D4, E4. All are bronchoconstrictors and increase permeability of blood vessels as in anaphylaxis and asthma. Three factors recruit and activate other groups of cells which play a major role in extending the immune response for hours to days. Eosinophils release major basic protein which is damaging to cells. You can order an eBook or printed text version separately or as part of the Professional Manual.