Studies on so-called protective ferments. VI. On the action of anesthesia in anaphylaxis

Abstract

It is assumed by Besredka, 1 that the shock in anaphylaxis is due to the direct toxic action of protein split products upon the cells of the central nervous system. Such a view of shock would most satisfactorily explain why anesthesia prevents the shock. The experiments of different authors however have definitely shown that the central nervous system is not primarily, but only secondarily involved in the anaphylactic symptom-complex. They failed however to explain the action of certain anesthetics as preventing shock.

In studying this question we found that certain anesthetics increase the antitryptic action of the blood sometimes as high as 100 per cent. and more. Although there might be some other relation, this increase of antitrypsin in the blood alone is sufficient to stop the activity of proteolytic enzyme and thus to avert the shock. As the animal recovers, the amount of antitrypsin is gradually coming down to normal and accordingly proteolytic enzyme is able to exert its action only in part, thus extending the process in duration at the expense of severity.