Protamine-like Property of Compounds 48/80 and Stilbamidine and Their Action on Mast Cells.

Abstract

Compound 48/80 and stilbamidine produced both in vivo and in vitro bursting of rat mast cells. This phenomenon was observed with phase contrast microscopy as a rapid bubbling of cell surface. Both compounds presented an anti-heparin-like effect, and formed a precipitate in the presence of heparin, liquoid or cellulose sulphate. The in vivo and in vitro action of histamine liberators on mast cells suggests that these cells might be a source of histamine.