Augmentation of allergic histamine release from human leukocytes by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory-analgesic agents

Augmentation of allergic histamine release in vitro with human leukocytes was produced by numerous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory--analgesic agents, primarily the arylalkanoic and anthranilic acids. Augmentation occurred without release of histamine by the agents in the absence of the allergen (ragweed) and only under conditions of an accompanying release by the allergen. As a consequence of augmentation, less allergen was necessary to produce a given response in the presence of these agents. It is suggested that some of these agents might enhance mediator release in immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions. The same agents reported to exacerbate chronic urticaria, i.e., indomethacin, mefenamic acid, sodium salicylate, aspirin, sodium benzoate, and tartrazine, also augmented allergic histamine release. Pharmacologically mediated augmentation of mediator release from stimulated cells is suggested to be involved in the exacerbation of existing chronic urticaria by the acidic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory-analgesic agents.