Preclinical studies with platelet-activating factor antagonists in models of septic shock

Since the isolation and elucidation of the structure of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the late 1970's, several preclinical studies have suggested that PAF is a key mediator of septic shock induced in animals by either endotoxin or by Gram-negative bacteria. A number of PAF antagonists have been sythesized that protect animals from the lethal effects of endotoxin. Some of these antagonists are in early stages of clinical development. The most advanced cadidate is BN 52021, a ginkgolide, that is in Phase II/III clinical trials in patients with septic shock. Preliminary results with BN 52021 indicate that it is efficacious and significantly reduces mortality associated with Gram-negative sepsis. Pivotal trials with BN 52021 aer ongoing. The present review summarizes the biological effects of PAF and the effect of PAF antagonists in animal models of septic shock. The interrelationship of PAF and tumor necrosis factor (another key mediator of septic shock) is also discussed.     

Effects of the specific platelet-activating factor antagonists, BN 52021 and BN 52063, on various experimental gastrointestinal ulcerations

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been shown recently to induce gastrointestinal damage similar to that evoked by endotoxin, suggesting that the autacoid could be implicated in other types of gastrointestinal damage. Thus, the effects of BN 52021 and BN 52063, two specific PAF antagonists, were investigated in various experimental models of gastrointestinal damage in rats. BN 52021 and BN 52063, markedly reduced both the PAF- and endotoxin-induced alterations of the mucosa, suggesting a role for the autacoid in the latter process. BN 52021 and another unrelated PAF antagonist, triazolam, partially reduced the restraint-stress-induced gastric damage in young female, but not male, rats. Similar partial protection was obtained in rats with ethanol-induced gastric damage. In contrast with atropine and ranitidine, BN 52021 did not affect the gastric hypersecretion in pylorus-ligated rats nor the aspirin-induced gastric ulcerations. The present results indicate that PAF plays a major role in the gastric damage induced by endotoxin and may also partially contribute to the gastric lesions induced by ethanol and stress. The results suggest that there is a potential therapeutic use for PAF antagonists in certain types of gastrointestinal lesions in man.     

Role for intracellular platelet-activating factor in the circulatory failure in a model of gram-positive shock.

1. This study investigates the effects of two structurally different antagonists of platelet-activating factor (PAF), BN52021 and WEB2086, on the circulatory and renal failure elicited by lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Staphylococcus aureus (an organism without endotoxin) in anaesthetized rats. 2. Administration of LTA (10 mg kg-1, i.v.) caused hypotension and vascular hyporeactivity to noradrenaline (1 microgram kg-1, i.v.) WEB2086 (5 mg kg-1, i.v., 20 min before and 150 min after LTA) inhibited the delayed fall in mean arterial blood pressure (at 300 min: 99 +/- 6 mmHg vs. 75 +/- 6 mmHg, P < 0.01) and prevented the decrease in pressor response to noradrenaline (at 300 min: 36 +/- 5 mmHg min vs. 17 +/- 5 mmHg min, P < 0.01). Surprisingly, BN52021 (20 mg kg-1, i.v., 20 min before and 150 min after LTA) neither prevented the hypotension (74 +/- 6 mmHg) nor the vascular hyporeactivity (21 +/- 5 mmHg min). However, BN52021 inhibited the hypotension to injections of PAF as well as the circulatory failure elicited by lipopolysaccharides (10 mg kg-1, i.v.). 3. LTA caused an increase in plasma concentration of creatinine from 39 +/- 5 microM (sham-operated) to 70 +/- 8 microM and urea from 4.7 +/- 0.1 to 13.1 +/- 1.6 mM. The renal failure elicited by LTA was significantly inhibited by WEB2086 (creatinine: 45 +/- 4 microM and urea: 5.7 +/- 0.7 mM), but not by BN52021. 4. The induction of nitric oxide synthase activity in lungs by LTA was attenuated by WEB2086 from 98 +/- 17 to 40 +/- 15 pmol L-citrulline 30 min-1 mg-1 protein (P < 0.01), but not by BN52021 (148 +/- 21 pmol L-citrulline 30 min-1 mg-1 protein). Similarly, WEB2086, but not BN52021, inhibited the increase in plasma nitrite concentration associated with the delayed circulatory failure caused by LTA. The release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) after injection of LTA was not attenuated by WEB2086. 5. The induction of nitrite release by cultured macrophages activated with LTA (10 micrograms ml-1 for 24 h) was inhibited by 74 +/- 4% by WEB2086 (3 x 10(-4) M), but not by BN52021, indicating that only WEB2086 acts on intracellular PAF receptors. 6. Thus, the intracellular release of PAF contributes to the circulatory and renal failure and induction of nitric oxide synthase elicited by LTA in anaesthetized rats. The difference between the two structurally different PAF antagonists in our septic shock models using either LTA or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), shows the importance of models for Gram-positive sepsis in the elucidation of the pathophysiology of septic shock and for the evaluation of potential drugs.     

Pharmacological modulation of the effects of N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine in guinea-pigs: involvement of the arachidonic acid cascade.

The intravenous administration of the chemotactic and secretagogue peptide N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP; 0.3-30 micrograms kg-1) to the guinea-pig induces bronchoconstriction and dose-dependent leukopenia accompanied by mild thrombocytopenia. No electron microscopic evidence of platelet aggregation in lungs or significant accumulation of 111In-labelled platelets in the thoracic region at the height of bronchoconstriction was noted. Bronchoconstriction and leukopenia induced by FMLP were not affected by prostacyclin, by platelet depletion, by the platelet-activating factor (Paf-acether) antagonist BN 52021 or by the histamine H1-antagonist mepyramine. Bronchoconstriction, but not leukopenia, was inhibited by aspirin, whereas the peptido-leukotriene antagonist compound FPL 55712 and the cyclo-oxygenase lipoxygenase inhibitor indomethacin reduced bronchoconstriction to a limited extent only. The mixed cyclo-oxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor compound BW 755C was very effective in blocking bronchoconstriction by the highest dose of FMLP used, but failed to interfere with leukopenia. FMLP-induced dose-dependent contraction of parenchymal lung strips was accompanied by the formation of immuno-reactive thromboxane B2 in amounts markedly less than those formed from exogenous arachidonic acid at concentrations equieffective in inducing contractions. FMLP-induced contractions of the guinea-pig lung strip were not modified by mepyramine nor by FPL 55712. They were reduced by indomethacin and aspirin and an even greater reduction was obtained with aspirin used in combination with FPL 55712. BW 755C suppressed the effects of all the concentrations of FMLP tested, whereas tert-butyloxy-carbonyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, a chemical analogue of FMLP, displaced the concentration-response curve to the right, without reducing the maximal contraction obtained. The present results indicate that: (a) bronchoconstriction by FMLP is not due to platelet activation, to cyclo-oxygenase-dependent mechanisms or to peptido-leukotriene formation. The inhibitory effect of aspirin and BW 755C involves a property other than cyclo-oxygenase inhibition, which is not shared by indomethacin. (b) The contractile effects of FMLP on parenchymal lung strips follow an interaction with specific receptor sites, as shown by the effectiveness of tert-butyloxy-carbonyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, and involves the combined effects of cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites.     

Protective effect of a specific platelet-activating factor antagonist, BN 52021, on bupivacaine-induced cardiovascular impairments in rats

Administration of the local anaesthetic bupivacaine (1.5 or 2 mg/kg, i.v.) to rats elicited a marked decrease of mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) leading to death (in 67% or 90% of animals respectively). Intravenous injection of the specific platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist BN 52021 (10 mg/kg), 30 min before bupivacaine administration (2 mg/kg i.v.) suppressed both the decrease of MBP and HR. In contrast, doses of 1 mg/kg BN 52021 given 30 min before or 10 mg/kg administered 5 min before i.v. injection of bupivacaine were ineffective. When BN 52021 (20 mg/kg i.v.) was injected immediately after bupivacaine (2 mg/kg), a partial reversion of the decrease of MBP and HR was observed, whereas the dose of 10 mg/kg was ineffective. A partial recovery of bupivacaine-induced ECG alterations was observed after pretreatment of the rats with BN 52021. Since the administration of BN 52021, at all doses studied, did not alter MBP and HR at the doses used, the bulk of these results clearly demonstrate a protective action of BN 52021, a specific antagonist of PAF, against bupivacaine-induced cardiovascular toxicity. Thus, consistent with its direct effect on heart, PAF appears to be implicated in bupivacaine-induced cardiovascular alterations.     

Evidence for the involvement of a macrophage-derived chemotactic mediator in the neutrophil recruitment induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B in mice

Staphylococcus aureus secretes enterotoxins which are superantigens and the major cause of food poisoning in man. Staphylococcal enterotoxins types A and B can induce neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity of mice through sensory C-fiber neuropeptides, lipoxygenase or cyclooxygenase metabolites, nitric oxide, histamine, platelet-activating factor and resident macrophages. In this work, we examined the influence of macrophage-derived products on neutrophil migration during peritonitis induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin type B (SEB) in mice. Macrophages stimulated with SEB released a thermolabile neutrophil chemotactic protein with a molecular weight of 1000–3000 (by ultrafiltration). This release was inhibited 30% by dexamethasone (an inhibitor of cytokine synthesis and phospholipase A₂ activity), but not by indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) or BW755C (a dual cyclo- and lipoxygenase inhibitor). Dexamethasone also inhibited (100%) the neutrophil migration induced by the chemotactic protein. Similar inhibition occurred in mice pretreated with BWA4C (lipoxygenase inhibitor; 90%), BW755C (99%), BN52021 (platelet-activating factor–acether receptor antagonist; 93%), cimetidine (histamine H₂ receptor antagonist; 76%), capsaicin (a depletor of sensory C-fiber neuropeptides; 82%) and the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist SR140333 (71%), but not by indomethacin or the neurokinin₂ receptor antagonist SR48968. These results confirm that macrophages are involved in the neutrophil recruitment induced by SEB, and that the chemotactic protein apparently induces neutrophil migration by a mechanism mediated by platelet-activating factor, histamine H₂ receptors, lipoxygenase products and substance P.     

PAF-acether-induced mortality in mice: protection by benzodiazepines

Intraperitoneal injection to mice of platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces severe shock symptoms, leading to death. The effects of various drugs which are potential specific or non-specific PAF inhibitors were tested. Salbutamol, a beta 2-agonist, showed a partial protection, whereas the specific PAF antagonists CV 3988 or BN 52021 induced an important beneficial action against PAF-induced lethal effects. The effects of drugs related to benzodiazepines were also studied: alprazolam administered p.o. prior to PAF challenge provides almost complete protection against PAF toxicity. Thus PAF-induced death in mice represents a useful model of systemic anaphylaxis; moreover, studies of benzodiazepine-related compounds may be interesting for investigating the mechanisms of the biological actions of PAF.     

Effects of PAF and PAF antagonists on the shape of venous endothelial cells in vitro

Three platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonists were tested for their ability to prevent or reduce PAF-induced shape changes of large vein endothelial cells in vitro. BN52021 had a significant protective action at concentrations of 1 microM and 0.1 microM, but at 100 microM had a damaging effect of its own. CV3988 (0.1 microM and 1 microM) and L652,731 (20 microM) did not reduce the responses to PAF, and at higher concentrations (CV3988 10 microM and 100 microM, L652,731 100 microM) both compounds alone caused significant changes of shape. BN52021 (0.1 microM) was also effective against leukotriene (LT) C4, at 1 microM against bradykinin and LTE4, and at 10 microM against LTD4 and the calcium ionophore A23187. BN52021 (10 microM) was ineffective against shape changes induced by histamine, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). Neither indomethacin (100 microM) nor verapamil (20 microM) altered the response to PAF. Using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry it was shown that the damaging effects of LPC and CV3988 may be due partly to their detergent properties. It is suggested that the mechanism by which PAF alters the shape of large vein endothelial cells is primarily receptor mediated.     

Modulation of in vitro immune reactions by platelet activating factor and a platelet activating factor antagonist

Platelet activating factor (PAF) was found to suppress primary and secondary mixed lymphocyte reactions and BN52021, a naturally occurring PAF antagonist, blocked PAF-mediated suppression and enhanced the mixed lymphocyte reactions. The effect of delayed addition of PAF or BN52021 24 h or later after the initiation of cultures reduced the suppressive and enhancing effects, respectively. The removal of the antagonist BN52021 from mixed lymphocyte cultures up to 72 h after their initiation also was found to eliminate the potentiating effect of this antagonist. The continuous presence of PAF in mixed lymphocyte cultures used to generate cytotoxic lymphocytes suppressed the generation of effector cells while the addition of BN52021 elicited an enhanced level of cell-mediated cytotoxicity in such cultures. BN52021 enhanced the cytotoxic activity in such cultures irrespective of the presence of exogenous interleukin-2, suggesting that the antagonist-mediated enhancement is not due to the enhanced production of interleukin-2 by cells in the mixed cultures. The experiments reported here provide evidence for a role of PAF in modulating the complex interactions that take place in the initiation of cellular immune reactions. Furthermore, the results of these experiments indicate that the immunoregulatory action of PAF can be modulated by an antagonist that exerts its action independently of the production of the lymphocyte growth factor, interleukin-2.     

Effect of anti-inflammatory drugs on the cardiotoxin-induced hind-paw oedema in rats

Cardiotoxin, isolated from Naja naja atra venom, induced rat hind-paw oedema. This effect was suppressed by the pretreatment with dexamethasone or BW 755C, or subplantar co-injection with FPL 55712. Pretreatment with aspirin alone did not affect this response, while a significant reduction of cardiotoxin-induced paw oedema was achieved with aspirin in combination with diphenhydramine and methysergide. Subplantar co-injection of PAF antagonist, BN 52021 or L 652731, with cardiotoxin had no effect on paw oedema, whereas superoxide dismutase/catalase reduced this oedematous response. Cardiotoxin-induced paw oedema was also suppressed by pretreating the rats with isoprenaline. Pretreatment with rat anti-platelet plasma, which greatly reduced peripheral platelet count, did not affect cardiotoxin-induced paw oedema. Cardiotoxin did not trigger platelet aggregation or release reaction either in platelet-rich plasma or in washed platelet suspension. The oedematous response after subplantar co-injection of cardiotoxin with basic or acidic phospholipase A2 appeared to be only an additive effect. These results suggest that arachidonate metabolites, in which leukotrienes are most important, participated in cardiotoxin-induced paw oedema. Superoxide radical was also involved, while PAF and platelets showed little influence in this oedema effect.     

银杏内酯B对血小板活化因子引起的巨噬细胞趋化及细胞骨架改变的影响

目的考察银杏内酯B(ginkgolide B，BN52021)对血小板活化因子(PAF)引起的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞趋化反应和丝状肌动蛋白(F-actin)聚合作用的影响。方法Boyden小室法检测化合物对巨噬细胞趋化的影响；流式细胞术检测特异性标记的巨噬细胞中F-actin的变化。结果PAF可显著刺激小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞产生趋化效应，PAF受体拮抗剂BN52021(0.01 nmol·L^-1～0.1 μmol·L^-1)可明显抑制该作用。此外，在含钙缓冲液中，BN52021可显著抑制PAF引起的丝状肌动蛋白聚合。结论BN52021可能通过抑制丝状肌动蛋白的聚合作用，从而抑制PAF引起的巨噬细胞趋化，并且这种作用是钙依赖性的。表明BN52021的抗炎作用途径之一是抑制PAF诱导的趋化作用。     

Role of leukotrienes and platelet activating factor in acute gastric mucosal lesions in rats

Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and platelet activating-factor (PAF) were found to affect gastric microcirculation and mucosal integrity but their role in acute gastric damage has not been established. The present study with rats confirms that exogenous LTC4 (10 micrograms/kg.h s.c.) or PAF (10 micrograms/kg i.p.) alone caused only mild gastric mucosal injury but greatly augmented mucosal lesions produced by other irritants such as absolute ethanol, taurocholate, aspirin or stress. These acute lesions were accompanied by a significant increase in mucosal generation of LTC4, and the addition of PAF further increased it. Pretreatment with BN 52021, a PAF receptor antagonist, abolished PAF-induced gastric lesions and reduced LTC4 generation in tests with PAF plus ethanol. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an inhibitor of the lipoxygenase pathway, and FPL 55712, an LTC receptor-antagonist, reduced dose dependently the extent of gastric damage in various models of gastric lesions. Again, these protective effects were accompanied by a reduction in mucosal LTC4 formation. In addition, the protection induced by nordihydroguaiaretic acid was reversed in part by the pretreatment with indomethacin, suggesting that it could be attributed to increased biosynthesis of protective PG. The results indicated that LTC4 biosynthesis is increased in various forms of gastric damage and that LTC4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of this damage.     

Platelet activating factor and the responses of rat isolated stomach strip to prostaglandin E2

Abstract— The effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) on contractions evoked by acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) was studied in-vitro on rat stomach strip. Addition of PAF to the organ bath increased PGE- but not 5-HT- or acetylcholine-evoked responses. The effect of PAF was unaffected by atropine, methysergide or indomethacin, but prevented by a specific PAF receptor antagonist BN 52021. The data support a specific interaction between PAF and PGE₂ on rat stomach strip.     

Cellular electrophysiological effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and its antagonist BN 52021 in cardiac preparations.

The effects of PAF and its antagonist BN 52021 were studied on the transmembrane action potential (AP) in atrial and ventricular papillary muscles of guinea-pig. PAF (10(-11)-10(-7) M) did not modify the resting membrane potential (RP) nor the maximum rate of depolarization (Vmax) either in atrial or in ventricular fibres. At 10(-11) M, PAF increased the amplitude of AP both in atrial and ventricular muscles. the repolarization phase was dose-dependently shortened in the case of atrium, while the duration of ventricular AP was somewhat increased. The K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (10(-3) M) prevented the effect of PAF on the duration of atrial AP. BN 52021 (10(-7) M to 10(-5) M) produced a significant shortening of the duration of atrial AP and did not modify the other parameters. In papillary muscle up to 10(-6) M, it increased both RP and the amplitude of AP and caused a dose-dependent shortening of the repolarization. Neither PAF (10(-11) to 10(-7) M) nor BN 52021 (10(-5) M) was able to induce slow AP in guinea-pig atrial and ventricular preparations depolarized by 25 mM K+ Tyrode solution. PAF did not modify the slow AP elicited by isoprenaline (5 x 10(-7) M). The present findings suggest that neither PAF nor BN 52021 affects slow inward Ca2+ current but their effects on other ionic currents, e.g. K+ currents, may be important.     

Platelet activating factor and systemic anaphylaxis in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-sensitized rats: differential effects of PAF antagonists.

1. The effects of two platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonists, WEB 2086 and BN 52021, in reducing the changes in extravasation (Evans blue technique) and blood flow (radiolabelled microsphere method) to various organs and tissues following anaphylactic shock in the Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-sensitized rat were investigated. 2. Both antagonists attenuated anaphylaxis-induced increases in plasma protein leak in the trachea, stomach and small intestine, although they did not block extravasation in the colon and kidneys. 3. Anaphylaxis-induced decreases in blood flow to the adrenals were effectively antagonized by WEB 2086, although this antagonist did not reverse blood flow decreases to any other tissues. BN 52021, on the other hand, did not alter anaphylaxis-induced decreases in blood flow to the adrenals, but effectively prevented dramatic decreases in blood flow to the large and small bowel and spleen. 4. Anaphylactic shock produced marked reduction in blood pressure that was partly reversed by WEB 2086, whereas BN 52021 effectively blocked the decreases in cardiac output. 5. Thus, PAF is responsible for some of the haemodynamic and extravasation of protein changes associated with systemic anaphylaxis in the rat, although the differential inhibition observed with the two antagonists suggests that PAF alters vascular responsiveness through different mechanisms in selected tissues.     

Comparison of the actions of some platelet-activating factor antagonists on platelets and aortic smooth muscles.

The pharmacological actions of five platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonists were compared in rabbit platelets and rat thoracic aorta. In PAF (2 ng/ml)-induced aggregation of washed rabbit platelets, WEB 2086 and WEB 2170 much were more potent inhibitors than BN 52021, kadsurenone and denudatin B, and the IC50 values were calculated to be 0.1, 0.3, 5, 8 and 10 micrograms/ml, respectively. WEB 2086, WEB 2170 and BN 52021 did not affect the platelet aggregation caused by collagen (10 micrograms/ml), ADP (20 microM), arachidonic acid (100 microM) or thrombin (0.1 U/ml). Kadsurenone and denudatin B suppressed ATP release, thromboxane B2 formation and the rise in intracellular calcium of washed rabbit platelets caused by collagen and thrombin, while WEB 2086, WEB 2170 and BN 52021 did not have an effect. Norepinephrine (3 microM) induced a sustained contraction in rat thoracic aorta. Pretreatment with these PAF antagonists (20-100 micrograms/ml) caused inhibition of the aortic contraction in the following order: kadsurenone greater than denudatin B greater than WEB 2086 greater than BN 52021 greater than WEB 2170. In high potassium (60 mM)-induced contraction of rat aorta, kadsurenone and denudatin B caused marked relaxation, while WEB 2086, WEB 2170 and BN 52021 had only a slight effect. It is concluded that WEB 2086, WEB 2170 and BN 52021 are specific PAF antagonists in rabbit platelets, and weak relaxants in rat aorta. Two other PAF antagonists, kadsurenone and denudatin B, may inhibit some aspects of signal transduction, e.g., thromboxane formation or intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in rabbit platelets, and cause vasorelaxation in rat aorta by inhibiting calcium influx.     

Effects of platelet activating factor on contractile force and 45Ca fluxes in guinea-pig isolated atria.

1. The effects of platelet activating factor (PAF) were studied on the electromechanical properties and 45Ca2+ fluxes of guinea-pig isolated atria. 2 Both in spontaneously beating and electrically driven atria, PAF (10(-12)-10(-7) M) increased atrial rate but produced a biphasic effect on contractile force. At low concentrations (up to 10(-10) M) it produced a positive inotropic effect, while at higher concentrations PAF exerted a negative inotropic effect. A similar biphasic effect was observed in the slow contractions elicited by isoprenaline in K(+)-depolarized atrial fibres. 3. The positive inotropic effect of PAF was prevented by verapamil, whereas pretreatment of atria with propranolol, phentolamine, indomethacin or atropine did not modify its positive and negative inotropic actions. BN 52021, a specific PAF antagonist, abolished both the positive and negative inotropic effects. 4. PAF had no effect on the characteristics of the action potentials recorded in either normally polarized or K(+)-depolarized (slow action potential) atrial fibres. 5. At concentrations at which it increased contractile force, PAF potentiated the contractile responses to Ca2+ (0.9-9 mM), whereas at negative inotropic concentrations it inhibited them. The negative inotropic effect of PAF was partially reversed in 70% Na+ medium. 6. At 10(-11) M, PAF increased 45Ca2+ uptake and reduced the rate coefficient (kcm) for the 45Ca2+ efflux. This increase in 45Ca2+ uptake was abolished in atria pretreated with verapamil or BN 52021. However, 10(-7) M PAF modified neither 45Ca2+ uptake nor efflux in atrial muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The involvement of platelet activating factor in endotoxin-induced pulmonary platelet recruitment in the guinea-pig.

1 Exposure of conscious guinea-pigs to an aerosol of endotoxin (25-100 micrograms ml-1) resulted in a dose-related, progressive accumulation of platelets in the thoracic region. Accumulation of 111indium oxine labelled erythrocytes was not observed following exposure to an aerosol of endotoxin (50 micrograms ml-1). 2 Pretreatment of guinea-pigs with the selective platelet activating factor (Paf)-antagonists. CV-3988 or brotizolam resulted in a dose-related inhibition of endotoxin-induced pulmonary platelet recruitment. Pretreatment of guinea-pigs with the selective Paf-antagonist BN 52021 resulted in significant inhibition of endotoxin-induced pulmonary platelet recruitment, although the effects of BN 52021 were not dose-related. 3 Pretreatment of guinea-pigs with indomethacin at doses known to inhibit cyclo-oxygenase did not inhibit endotoxin-induced pulmonary platelet recruitment, whereas higher doses of indomethacin produced a reduction in platelet recruitment in the lung. 4 Pretreatment of guinea-pigs with the anticoagulant heparin and the prostacyclin analogue ZK 36374 inhibited endotoxin-induced platelet recruitment. 5 These observations suggest that endotoxin-induced pulmonary platelet recruitment in the guinea-pig is secondary to the release of platelet activating factor, but not to cyclo-oxygenase products of arachidonic acid and may also involve activation of the coagulation cascade.     

血小板激活因子在大鼠肝脏缺血预处理中的作用

目的探讨缺血预处理(IP)在肝组织缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤的保护机制及血小板激活因子(PAF)在其中的作用。方法采用大鼠原位半肝缺血再灌注和缺血预处理模型,缺血前通过肠系膜静脉分别注入PAF(3μg/kg)和PAF拮抗剂BN52021(5 mg/kg),观察分析血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、肝组织脂质过氧化物产物丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量、肝组织病理改变、中性粒细胞(PMN)计数及电镜观察等各项指标。结果I/R导致明显的肝损伤,IP减轻肝I/R损伤,BN52021能模拟IP的保护作用,大剂量PAF可以抵消IP的保护作用。结论IP对鼠肝I/R有明显的保护作用,IP期间产生一定量的自由基,对随后的I/R的保护作用具有重要意义。PAF参与了肝IP的作用过程,其作用是通过影响氧自由基产生和PMN与血管内皮的黏附而实现的。PAF的降低可能是肝IP的保护机制。     

The effect of the specific PAF antagonist BN 52021 and the calcium blocker diltiazem on PAF induced arrhythmogenicity

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) in a concentration of 10(-11) mole per animal decreased the threshold doses for onsets of arrhythmia, ventricular flutters and fibrillation in ouabain induced arrhythmia in guinea-pigs in a statistically significant manner. The specific PAF antagonist BN 52021 (20 mg/kg, orally) completely inhibited the PAF effect for all types of arrhythmia, while the Ca2+ antagonistic drug diltiazem (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) failed to counteract the PAF action. BN 52021 (20 mg/kg, per os) alone did not exert any effect on ouabain induced arrhythmia, but as expected, diltiazem (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) showed antiarrhythmic effects. These results confirm the specific PAF antagonistic activity of BN 52021, its usefulness for PAF related cardiac rhythm disturbances and indicate that the method used could be a further useful tool to screen PAF antagonistic substances.