EVALUATION OF HISTAMINE AND CHOLINESTERASE IN ALLERGIC PHENOMENA

Abstract

Normal and allergic individuals were used as subjects. In conformity with the reports of others, no relationship was found between cholinesterase activity of the blood and the degree of allergy. No other blood constituent or factor examined in the investigation paralleled the cholinesterase activity. The free and bound histamine contents of the blood in allergic individuals were determined at various periods of the year. Both the free and bound histamine of the blood were completely dialyzable. The histamine levels tended to be lower in summer, during the pollen season, than in winter. Specific allergens were not found to have such spectacular effects upon the blood in allergy as described by Katz. In the final analysis, it appears that allergic subjects are more sensitive to histamine than normal subjects.