title: Modulation of the immediate allergic wheal reaction in the skin by drugs inhibiting the effects of leukotriene C4 and prostaglandin D2.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), zafirlukast and indomethacin on the size of the size of the allergic prick-test wheal.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the first part of the study, NDGA and indomethacin, as well as the mepyramine control (10 micrograms/ml and 100 micrograms/ml), were injected intracutaneously 10 min before prick-testing with the cow dander allergen in 51 sensitised atopic subjects. In the second part, five other subjects were prick-tested with several allergens followed by administration of 40 mg zafirlukast or 100 mg indomethacin and re-prick-testing 2 h or 4 h later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intracutaneous indomethacin at both concentrations enlarged the wheal by 27 +/- 50% and 29 +/- 51% (P < 0.02, n = 51), respectively. Likewise, the peroral indomethacin significantly increased the wheal area by 17 +/- 30% (P = 0.035, n = 5). Neither intracutaneous NDGA in 51 subjects nor peroral zafirlukast in 5 subjects had marked effects on the size of the prick-test wheal. As expected, mepyramine (10 micrograms/ml) decreased the wheal area by 33 +/- 32% (P < 0.001, n = 51), but 14 subjects did not show any decrease after administration of this H1-antihistamine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor (indomethacin) augments the prick-test wheal, but the leukotriene synthesis inhibitor (NDGA) and leukotriene C4 antagonist (zafirlukast) have no marked effects on the size of the prick-test wheal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1777, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Saarinen
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Harvima
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horsmanheimo
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Harvima
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007211:Indoles; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017997:Leukotriene C4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008297:Male; D009637:Masoprocol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011738:Pyrilamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000009:adverse effects; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D017997:Leukotriene C4; D009637:Masoprocol; D011738:Pyrilamine; D015230:Prostaglandin D2; D007213:Indomethacin; C062735:zafirlukast