Effect of nedocromil sodium and cromoline sodium on atopic basophil function

Nedocromil sodium (NS) is a new drug for the treatment of bronchial asthma. In the present study, we examined the effect of NS on basophil histamine release stimulated by anti-IgE, anti-IgE+IL-3 (interleukin-3) or ryegrass. The effect of cromoline Na (CrS) on histamine release from basophils to the same stimuli was compared. NS did not affect histamine release from basophils following anti-IgE alone or together with IL-3, but augmented the release following ryegrass. CrS did not affect histamine release after the same three stimuli. We concluded that NS and CrS do not affect bronchial asthma through direct inhibition of histamine release from basophils. Their action may be via an indirect effect on histamine-releasing factor.