Relationship Between Peptone Shock and Anaphylactic Shock

Abstract

We have recently reported that the intravenous injection into dogs of a solution of peptone produces shock indirectly by leading to the liberation of a vasodepressor substance, identified as histamine, from the tissues. 1 Thus the mechanism of peptone shock is apparently similar to that of anaphylactic shock. 2 Biedl and Kraus 3 pointed out the remarkable similarities between these conditions. They also reported that peptone shock desensitizes an animal to anaphylactic shock and vice versa. They concluded that the fundamental mechanism concerned in these reactions was identical. They interpreted the reactions as indicating that peptone contains some active substance, such as Popielski's vasodilatin, which can produce shock directly, and that in the anaphylactic experiment a mother substance is formed as the result of the sensitization which then discharges this active peptone constituent when the shocking injection of antigen is made. Subsequent investigators have had variable results in attempting to influence an anaphylactic reaction by the prior administration of peptone. Hill and Martin 4 in their review summarize the reports as follows: “In short, there is some, but not striking evidence that peptone may inhibit shock within certain defined limits.”

In view of our demonstration that both peptone shock and anaphylactic shock are reactions that are brought about indirectly by the liberation of histamine from the tissues of the shocked animal, the relationship between these reactions has considerable significance. For example, the question whether desensitization is related to a depletion or exhaustion of the mobilizable store of histamine in the tissues is subject to direct approach by such a study. The present investigation, therefore, was undertaken in the effort to determine whether or not one reaction would desensitize to the alternative reaction.