Stimulation of contact sensitivity to oxazolone by disodium cromoglycate

The subcutaneous administration of 0.01-10 mg/kg of the antiallergic agent disodium cromoglycate on day 0 30 min prior to sensitization of C57Bl/6 male mice with 5% 2-phenyl-4-ethoxy-methylene oxazolone proved to cause a significant stimulation of the low-grade volume response as measured plethysmographically in 24 h after challenge. The investigation of the mechanism favors the conclusion that histamine release is involved in the action of disodium cromoglycate as judged by the ability of the antihistaminics chlorpheniramine and metiamide to inhibit the disodium cromoglycate action and by the inhibitory effect of polymyxin B induced depletion of histamine.