The influence of sugars upon hypersensitivity reactions

Of 10 hexose and pentose sugars tested, three hexoses were found to improve consistently the 24-h survival of mice subjected to anaphylactic, histamine, or serotonin shock. Intravenous injection of polyvinylpyrrolidone reduced mortality to serotonin in the first 15 min after challenge. The results could not be explained on the basis of blood sugar level, serum osmolarity, the hexokinase or glucokinase systems, or by the dependence or independence of the sugar metabolism upon insulin. Protection appeared to be based upon both insulin and the phosphorylating system of the cell. It is suggested that the point of primary involvement is the glycolytic pathway of the neural or smooth muscle cells of the target organs.