PubMed · 9752161
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N Henderson. Anaphylaxis.. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.12.47.49.s49
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The pathophysiological responses to immune stress (IS) include activation of several processes which are dependent on cytosolic Ca2+ elevation. Magnesium frequently acts as a natural Ca2+ antagonist. In this study we have observed that Mg2+ can protect guinea-pigs against IS. Antigen-sensitized guinea-pigs, which had been fed a magnesium-deficient diet, were given a single dose (15 mg) of MgCl2 intraperitoneally 1 h before antigen challenge. The development of anaphylactic shock (AS) was observed during the next 2 h, and the hearts were subsequently examined histologically for signs of cardiac myolysis (CM). Magnesium (i) reduced the incidence of CM from 40% to 10% (p < 0.05); (ii) reduced the incidence of AS from 61% to 35% (p < 0.05); (iii) attenuated the severity of the AS; and (iv) lowered mortality from 39% in the control to 19% in the Mg(2+)-treated group (p = 0.1). Serum and tissue total [Mg2+] were not affected by the administration of MgCl2. Also, the serum and heart Mg2+ levels were the same whether or not the guinea-pigs developed AS or CM. In cell culture we demonstrated that by elevating the [Mg2+] in the medium bathing sensitized rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells, the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] subsequent to antigen challenge was reduced from 174 +/- 23.28% (1 mM) to 82.74 +/- 13.22% (3 mM). We conclude that a single treatment with Mg2+ can considerably diminish damage induced by immune stress, probably by its altering the Ca2+: Mg2+ ratio. Since the physiological reaction to different types of stress is similar, Mg2+ could prove beneficial in preventing stress-induced shock in general. Studies examining the mechanisms by which Mg2+ exerts its effects thus provide a scientific basis for the current clinical use of Mg2+ in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and asthma.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if a causal connection exists between food additives and various medical complaints. DESIGN: Literature study. METHOD: Medline over the period January 1966-January 1999 was searched for articles on the following substances not containing protein and lactose: monosodium glutamate (MSG), sulfites, azo-dyes (tartrazine, sunset yellow, azorubin, amarant, cochineal red), benzoates, sorbates, butylated hydroxyanisole/butylated hydroxytoluene (BHA/BHT), parabens, cinnamon and vanilla, in combination with key words regarding food and side effects. Of those studies purporting to demonstrate an effect, only double-blind randomized placebo-controlled studies with oral challenge were assessed further, unless the complaint was anaphylaxis. Of studies not demonstrating an effect the design was assessed. RESULTS: Only for sulfites as causative agents of asthma and anaphylaxis, methodologically adequate studies demonstrating a causal connection could be found. For azo-dyes, benzoates, MSG, sorbates and BHA/BHT, no link with medical symptoms was demonstrable. For parabens, cinnamon and vanilla there were insufficient or inadequate data to justify a conclusion.
Indigo carmine (sodium indigotindisulfonate), a blue dye, has been widely used by surgeons to identify and to examine the urinary tract and is considered biologically inert and extremely safe. We present a case of severe life-threatening anaphylactoid reaction followed by cardiac arrest associated with intravenous indigo carmine injection.