title: The effects of antihistamines beyond H1 antagonism in allergic inflammation.
abstract: Antigen and cold dry air were used to challenge the upper and lower airways, skin, and conjunctiva. In each of these four systems an immediate and late-phase reaction to antigen is well characterized. Although the pattern of mediator release is different in these four areas, the degree of infiltration of basophils and eosinophils in the late-phase reaction appears to be constant. Of a number of drugs that can influence these mediators and cell responses, the steroids represent a typical mode of action. Steroids block the late-phase response and ablate the eosinophil and basophil infiltration. Although the effects of antihistamines appear to be similar, they do not appear to be caused by H1 antagonism; the mechanism of their action is unknown. This discussion will focus on these non-H1 antagonist effects of antihistamines in four challenge models, particularly the upper airways and skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, MD 21224.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lichtenstein
mesh_terms: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D017332:Cetirizine; D003533:Cyproheptadine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013189:SRS-A / Q000378:metabolism; D016593:Terfenadine
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D013189:SRS-A; D003533:Cyproheptadine; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D016593:Terfenadine; C006656:azatadine; D015230:Prostaglandin D2; D017332:Cetirizine