These results were strongly indicative that the prompt suppression of the PCA by oral l-ephedrine was not exerted following the drug was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the result may be from an indirect inhibition of chemical mediator release, possibly through an unidentified stimulation of the nervous system, but not from the inhibition of chemical mediator release by the direct interaction of drug to mast cells and not from the decreased vascular permeability.