426 . IMMUNO-CATALYSIS 



mission. It may also stimulate, or inhibit, intestinal activity; it can in- 

 crease, or decrease, blood pressure. But it is generally believed that it 

 brings out sympathomimetic effects. 



Danielopolu believes that epinephrine causes elevation in blood 

 pressure, vasodepressor effects, increase in metabolic rates, etc. in 

 effector cells. This response unlocks a compensating farasymfathetic 

 cellular response. In treatment with ergotamine, and antihistaminic 

 88 3F, which inhibit sympathomimetic action, the action of adrenalin 

 is rendered exclusively parasympathomimetic. He claims that the 

 response in the latter case is produced as a result of the liberation of 

 acetylcholine. However, he is unique in attributing the inhibitory 

 effect of epinephrine to liberation of acetylcholine. Cannon has 

 demonstrated two chemical components in sympathetic activity 

 (sympathin E and sympathin I). But Cannon never identified the 

 latter with acetylcholine (Goodman and Gilman, 1941). It would fol- 

 low from Danielopolu's reasoning that the action of epinephrine treat- 

 ment, preceded by a treatment with ergotamine, and 883F, should 

 promote the phenomenon of shock. He reported that the shock caused 

 by gelatin, which is also a shock caused by the liberation of acetyl- 

 choline, is equally promoted by epinephrine following a treatment 

 with ergotamine. 



Experimenting with the virgin uterus of the guinea pig, treatment 

 with acetylcholine, potassium ion and histamine caused increased 

 tonus of the uterus. In the early phase of pregnancy the response of 

 the uterus to these agents was similar to the above. In an advanced 

 phase of pregnancy adrenalin exercised an inhibitory effect, and acetyl- 

 choline, potassium ion and histamine were excitatory. It was demon- 

 strated that atropine, which paralyzes the guinea pig intestine, excites 

 the uterus. But, while atropine inhibited the action of acetylcholine on 

 the uterus, it had no action on the potassium and histamine effects. 

 In this manner he believed that he had a precise method to demonstrate 

 whether a shock is caused by acetylcholine, histamine or potassium 

 ion. 



j. Summary of Evidence in Favor of Acetylcholine Theory. The 

 following summary of evidence is submitted in support of the Acetyl- 

 choline Theory of Anaphylaxis. The hyperconcentration of acetylcho- 

 line and, secondarily, of adrenalin precursors in anaphylaxis results in 

 hyperfunction of all the organs where the parasympathetic is excitatory 



