Ascorbic acid anaphylaxis

Pituitary extracts contain some basic protein which may interfere with heparin. Although ACTH and heparin have similar effects on endocrine weight, body weight, protein metabolism, lipid metabolism, sludged blood, anaphylaxis, dispersibility phenomena, and peripheral eosinophilia , heparin prevents the eosinopenia and lymphopenia due to ACTH and corti-sone . It has no effect on the depletion of adrenal ascorbic acid by ACTH, sodium salicylate, adrenaline or histamine, or by cold exposure . In contrast, protamine blocks the depletion of adrenal ascorbic acid by ACTH. 

Antioxidant preservatives added to oral preparations are commonly ascorbic acid, citric acid and sodium metabisulfites. They are odourless and tasteless, and supposed to be non-toxic. Nevertheless, sulfites have been incriminated in allergic-type reactions, including anaphylaxis, by many routes of administration. 

Since the introduction of ascorbic acid as an antiviral and antibacterial agent (Klenner, 1951 McCormick, 1952 Klenner, 1974) interest has focused on the possible immunologic mechanisms involved in its protective effect. The role of ascorbic acid in the immune response is reviewed here with regard to cellular and humoral functions, and experiments pertaining to the role of ascorbic acid in autoimmunity and anaphylaxis are discussed. 

The effect of supplementary ascorbic acid on anaphylaxis-induced mortality is shown in Table IV. A 44% reduction in mortality was noted for the ascorbic acid-treated mice compared to tap water-treated controls (p<0.01). This is the first indication that dietary ascorbic acid, without antihistamines, may provide protection against anaphylaxis-induced mortality. 

Effect of Supplementary Ascorbic Acid on Anaphylaxis-Induced Mortality in BALB/c Female Mice... 

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