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. 2021 Dec 13;19(1):25.
doi: 10.1186/s12948-021-00162-9.

Potential prophylactic efficacy of mast cell stabilizers against COVID-19 vaccine-induced anaphylaxis

Itsuro Kazama  1
Affiliations

Potential prophylactic efficacy of mast cell stabilizers against COVID-19 vaccine-induced anaphylaxis

Itsuro Kazama. Clin Mol Allergy. .

Abstract

To fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the vaccination is currently the most effective approach. However, in addition to common systemic side effects, the vaccines can cause serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. In anaphylaxis, the exposure to the allergen causes a sudden release of chemical mediators from mast cells, for which adrenaline is the drug of first choice. In our previous basic studies, in addition to adrenaline, anti-allergic drugs (olopatadine, loratadine, tranilast and ketotifen), antibiotics (clarithromycin), corticosteroids (hydrocortisone and dexamethasone) and certain food constituents (caffeine and catechin) inhibited the process of exocytosis and showed their effectiveness as highly potent mast cell stabilizers. In these studies, since mast cells were pre-incubated with these drugs or the food constituents before exocytosis was induced, the findings strongly indicated their prophylactic efficacy in stabilizing mast cells. Considering such pharmacological properties of these commonly prescribed medications or the food constituents, their prophylactic use may potentially be beneficial in preventing anaphylaxis caused by COVID-19 vaccination.

Keywords: Anaphylaxis; Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Mast cell stabilizer; Vaccines.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Degranulation from mast cells and the increase in membrane capacitance (Cm). Upon external stimuli for exocytosis, mast cells show more wrinkles on their cell surface and release secretory granules (degranulation), which is the process of exocytosis. As a result of exocytosis, membrane capacitance (Cm) gradually increases, representing the increase in the total cell surface area. Cm: membrane capacitance
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Prophylactic efficacies of adrenaline, commonly prescribed drugs or food constituents against anaphylaxis. Mast cells were pre-incubated with adrenaline, anti-allergic drugs (olopatadine, loratadine, tranilast and ketotifen), antibiotics (clarithromycin), corticosteroids (hydrocortisone and dexamethasone) or food constituents (caffeine and catechin) before exocytosis was induced. These drugs or the food constituents suppressed the increase in the membrane capacitance (Cm) and degranulation from mast cells, showing their prophylactic efficacy against anaphylaxis. Cm: membrane capacitance
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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