Effect of Terbutaline on Cutaneous Responses in Man to Rechallenge with Allergen and Compound 48/80

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Abstract
Beta-adrenoceptor stimulating agents possess anti-allergic effects in vitro and in vivo. To study the site of action further, 15 atopic subjects were pretreated with 1 .mu.g terbutaline injected intradermally (i.d.), followed by allergen challenge. Other skin sites challenged without such pretreatment served as controls. At different time intervals the skin was rechallenged with the same allergen, dissimilar allergen or the histamine liberating agent.sbd.compound 48/80. Terbutaline was injected i.d. alone followed by allergen challenge at different time intervals to determine the duration of the anti-allergic effect. Pretreatment of the skin with 1 .mu.g terbutaline inhibited skin reactions to subsequently injected allergen with approximately 80% flare and 60% wheal (P < 0.001) compared with control. The inhibitory effect of terbutaline on the wheal and flare response to allergen lasted up to 8 h (P < 0.01). Rechallenge with the same allergen or a dissimilar challenging agent resulted in a reduced skin reaction compared with control challenge (P < 0.01). Skin challenged with allergen in the presence of terbutaline gave a diminished response on rechallenge with the same allergen 24 h later, whereas rechallenge with an unrelated allergen, or compound 48/80 [p-methoxyphenethylmethylamine-formaldehyde product], produced a response similar to that of the control. Allergen challenge in the presence, or absence of terbutaline apparently desensitizes the mast cells to further challenge with the same allergen. Terbutaline is apparently capable of preventing mediator depletion of skin mast cells.