Suppression of anaphylactic shock in sensitized guinea pigs by cytochalasin D.

A new highly effective pathogenetic therapy for anaphylactic reaction in vivo has been suggested. Forty-three guinea pigs, presensitized with horse serum and divided into two groups, were injected intracardially with 1 ml of 1.6 x 10(-4) M cytochalasin D and 1 ml of 1.6 x 10(-5) M cytochalasin D in DMSO solution at various times before being challenged with the serum. Experimental data not only showed that anaphylactic reaction can be suppressed in vivo by blocking cytoskeletal activity but also demonstrated different pharmacodynamic characteristics of cytochalasin D on clinical course, gravity and outcome of anaphylactic shock in sensitized guinea pigs, depending on the interval between administration of the drug and allergen.