Læknablaðið - 15.05.1994, Page 47

LÆKNABLAÐIÐ
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was found in the post allergen challenge
symptoms and tryptase levels in the lavage
fluid as well as the density of those mast cells
in the epithelium that contained tryptase but
lacked chymase.
It was concluded that the mast cell plays
an unequivocal role in the inflammation of
allergic diseases in ntucosal membranes. The
functional properties of mast cells found at the
site of the inflammation are altered.
The lack of chymase and the decrease in
metachromatic staining capacity combined
with an increase in aldehyde sensitivity
reflects a functional activation of the mast
cells, rather than phenotypic differentiation
related to anatontical site. The beneficial
effects on allergic symptoms after topical
corticosteroid treatment may to some
extent be explained through a decrease
in the density of mast cells in the shock
organ.