This essay deals with enzymatic causation
of anaphylactic reactions,and with the role which eoinophils play in anaphylaxis.Since anaphylactic reaions represent non-specific stress stimuli,their primary symptomatology is intermingled with the secondary
manifestations from stress stimulation.The chief aim
of the present thesis is to demonstrate ,that a
group of manifestations which bear the name mq of
anaphylaxis or allergy,are signs and symptoms which
result from the different pathogenetic origins.A tentative effort is made to segregade the anaphylactic
manifestations according to their primary pathogeneti
factors.A thorough review is not,therefore, intended
to be made of any of the three main problems:eosinophils, enzymatic theory of anaphylaxis,or hormonal involvement in anaphylaxis. It is, however, intended to demonstrate a close interdependence and causal relation
ship between disturbed enzymatic proteolysis and horonal discrasia.
The title "... anaphylactic reactions related to hormonal alterations" may be misleading, because only one particular hormonal involvement (pituitary-adrenal response) in anaphylactic reactions
is discussed, although many other endocrinopathies
may be closely connected with allergy.
The enzymatic theory of anaphylaxis was recjected. many years ago,for lack of conclusive evidence
and because some experimental findings contradicted
he rationale of this theory.By taking advantage of
new developments in histo- chemistry and modern knowledge of sub-microscopical cellular structure, this
thesis attempts to produce a new evidence in support
of the enzymatic theory;furthermore,it endeavours to
answer the objections previously advanced by antagonists of this theory.If,however,the enzymatic theory
of anaphylaxis is now to be accepted, its original
form requires substantial modifications in accordance
with modern views,and this is another aim of this
thesis.
For purely mnemonic reasons the whole essay
is divided into three main chapters followed by "General conclusions ".In each chapter stress has been
laid on one particular object; to make the presentation
of this object more comprehensive,certain facts and
theories are repeated in each chapter.
The terminology used for the designation of
the intracellular proteolytic enzymes is based in
principle on that accepted by M.Bergmenn (1942), with
some modifications .Pepsinase, pepsin-like proteinase
or Cathepsine I, are synonyms, and they denominate an
enzyme whose proteolytic activity is similar to that
of the gastric pepsin.Trypsinase, trypsin-like proteinase, or Cathepsine II,are synonyms, and they denominate
an enzyme whose proteolytic activity is similar to
that of intestinal trypsin. The intracellular proteinases, however,are not entirely identical with the corresponding proteolytic enzymes of alimentary canal
(see page 24)
