A study was carried out to examine the effect on
neurotropin (NSP) on the 4 types of
allergic reactions classified by Coombs and Gell. 1) Type 1: NSP inhibited 48-hr homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) as well as
antigen-induced degranulation of rat mesenterium mast cells. The
drug also inhibited both experimental
asthma and histamine release from lung tissue in guinea pigs, as mediated by
IgE antibody. 2) Type 2: NSP slightly suppressed the increase in urinary
protein levels caused by nephrotoxic
nephritis in rats and showed a tendency to inhibit Forssman
shock in guinea pigs. NSP had an
anticomplement activity in vitro but did not inhibit the reversed cutaneous
anaphylaxis in rats. 3) Type 3: NSP suppressed an increase in the urinary
protein level of rats with
glomerulonephritis, as induced by
immune complex. 4) Type 4: NSP slightly inhibited the increase in the urinary
protein level in glomerulonephritic rats pretreated with
IgG. However, the
drug did not affect
picryl chloride-induced
contact dermatitis in mice. We conclude that NSP inhibits
allergic reactions used in the present study except for reversed cutaneous
anaphylaxis and
contact dermatitis, and the most potent activity is seen in the case of Type 1 reaction.