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Abstract
Fluorometric assay for corneal histamine after intravenous injection of compound 48/80 revealed a significant elevation over the level in saline controls. Following intraperitoneal injection of the histamine liberator, compound 48/80, degranulation and disruption of the perilimbal mast cells were noted in whole mount preparations. This was accompanied by accumulation of leukocytes and subsequently round cells in azure eosinate--stained sections of the perilimbal capillary area and morphologic changes in the fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The cellular reaction subsided by 24 hours after the initial injection, although mast cell regeneration continued for at least 14 days. The significance of these findings with regard to the inflammatory reaction and to previous studies using isolated mast cell constituents is discussed.