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The Reaction of the Smooth Muscle of the Denervated Iris in Anaphylaxis

A Comparative Study in the Guinea-pig, Rabbit, Dog, Cat and Monkey¹

From the laboratories of the Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, and the laboratory of Experimental Neurology, New York University College of Medicine

Abstract

The parasympathetically denervated smooth muscle of iris contracts during in vivo anaphylaxis in the guinea-pig, rabbit, dog, cat and to some extent in the monkey. The extent of miosis varies with the intensity of generalized reaction. The pupil of the completely denervated iris also constricts in anaphylactoid reaction, which occurs in the cat and dog but not in rabbit or monkey. These findings show the independence of the smooth muscle action in anaphylaxis from the nervous system. The miotic effect is probably due to the liberation of a substance which is not histamine. Because the pupillary constriction is not blocked by atropine it is doubtful whether acetylcholine is a factor in the contraction of the parasympathetically denervated smooth muscle in anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions.

Footnotes

¹ Aided by a grant from the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation.