“…This finding was supported by a barrage of studies that suggested the existence of a serum-borne inhibitor of the Na ϩ /K ϩ pump in subjects with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma (3,13,23,54,55,64). This unknown factor increased intracellular [Na ϩ ], decreased uptake of Rb ϩ , and decreased overall activity of the Na ϩ /K ϩ pump in isolated human platelet, leukocytes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (3,13,23,54,55,62,64). Furthermore, the plasma from allergic individuals could inhibit Rb ϩ uptake in leukocytes from control (i.e., nonallergic) individuals.…”