Anaphylactic Reactions and Concentrations of Antibody in Rats and Rabbits: Effect of Adrenalectomy and of Administration of Cortisone

Summary and Conclusions The enhancing effect of adrenalectomy on anaphylaxis in rats has been confirmed. Part of this enhancement is caused by enhancement of the development of sensitivity by adrenalectomy which, however, does not appear to be due to an effect on concentrations of antibodies. Administration of cortisone, just prior to challenging, increased the resistance of adrenalectomized rats to anaphylactic shock although severe reactions still occurred. Administration of cortisone during sensitization of adrenalectomized rats reduced the development of sensitivity so that much milder anaphylactic reactions occurred. Intact of adrenalectomized rats that received injections of cortisone produced slightly lower concentrations of hemolysins when rabbit erythrocytes were injected than similarly treated rats that did not receive cortisone. Administration of cortisone to intact or adrenalectomized rabbits receiving daily intracutaneous injections of antigen lowered greatly the resulting concentrations of circulating antibodies and inhibited the development of cutaneous sensitivity. Adrenalectomy had some enhancing effect on cutaneous sensitivity. Administration of cortisone produced no detectable effect on the concentration of circulating hemolysins produced in guinea pigs after either subcutaneous or intravenous injection of rabbit erythrocytes.