Role of eosinophils in anaphylactic reactions related to hormonal alterations

Abstract

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)