Bleomycin-induced lung injury in rats selectively abolishes hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: evidence against a role for platelet-activating factor.

1. The role of platelet-activating factor in the attenuated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction associated with lung injury was evaluated using specific platelet-activating factor antagonists and an isolated perfused lung preparation. 2. Intratracheal bleomycin was administered to rats to produce acute lung injury. Animals received intratracheal saline (control), intratracheal bleomycin or the platelet-activating factor antagonists BN 52021, WEB 2170 or WEB 2086 before and after bleomycin treatment. Forty-eight hours after intratracheal administration of bleomycin or saline the animals were killed. 3. The increases in pulmonary artery pressure during two periods of hypoxic ventilation and in response to 0.2 microgram of angiotensin II were measured. Acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation after pre-constriction with prostaglandin F2 alpha was also measured. To quantify lung injury, the wet/dry ratio of lung weight was determined. 4. Bleomycin treatment attenuated the first and second hypoxic pressor responses by 93% and 77%, respectively, but not the pressor response to angiotensin II nor the vasodilator response to acetylcholine. BN 52021 plus bleomycin augmented the first hypoxic pressor response compared with bleomycin treatment alone, but the structurally unrelated platelet-activating factor antagonists WEB 2170 and WEB 2086 had no significant effect on the bleomycin-induced attenuation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. None of the platelet-activating factor antagonists blocked the increase in the wet/dry lung weight ratio induced by bleomycin. 5. Bleomycin-induced lung injury selectively attenuates hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, an effect that does not appear to be mediated by platelet-activating factor. The mechanism remains to be elucidated, but may involve destruction of the hypoxic 'sensor' within the respiratory tract.     

Platelet-activating factor: evidence against a role in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

The mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) remains unknown. The platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist WEB 2086 attenuated HPV in the isolated lung model of the rat. We evaluated the effect of WEB 2086 on HPV in an intact animal. Pigs were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and had their hemodynamic variables monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter and arterial line. Cardiac output was measured by thermodilution. Initial studies determined that PAF (0.03 to 1.0 micrograms) injected iv dose-dependently increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) with a 262 +/- 58% increase in PVR 5 min after a dose of 1.0 microgram. WEB 2086 (25 mg/kg iv) completely blocked the increase in PVR caused by iv PAF. Additionally, indomethacin (2 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg.h iv) treatment of the animals attenuated the PAF-induced increase in PVR. To evaluate the effect of WEB 2086 on HPV, animals were alternately ventilated with 21% oxygen and 10-min periods of 10% oxygen to induce HPV. After three initial control episodes of hypoxic ventilation, WEB 2086 (25 mg/kg) was injected iv and two more episodes of ventilation with 10% oxygen were given. During the three control HPV episodes the increases in PVR were 80 +/- 10%, 108 +/- 10%, and 107 +/- 22% (n = 5). After WEB 2086, the increase in PVR during two episodes of hypoxia were 96 +/- 28% and 99 +/- 19%, respectively, which was not significantly different from the control response to hypoxia. We conclude that iv PAF dose dependently increases PVR in pigs, and can be blocked by WEB 2086, that its effect is partially mediated through cyclooxygenase products, and that PAF does not appear to mediate HPV in this species.     

Effect of platelet activating factor antagonists on cultured rat mesangial cells

Platelet activating factor (PAF; 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a lipid mediator of inflammation produced by inflammatory cells and also by renal glomerular mesangial cells. PAF may play a role in glomerular function and disease. Previously the authors reported that glomerular mesangial cells respond to PAF by increasing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis and by cell contraction. This paper examines the specificity of BN52021, SRI 63-072 and kadsurenone on the effects of PAF on cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. Both BN52021 and SRI 63-072 specifically decreased PAF (1 X 10(-6) M)-stimulated PGE2 production in a dose-dependent fashion (10(-7)-10(-5) M) without affecting the stimulation by angiotensin II (AII) or the calcium ionophore A23187. Kadsurenone also decreased PAF-stimulated PGE2 production, but in a less specific manner, as it also decreased AII- and A23187-stimulated PGE2 production. In order to examine the site of antagonism of PAF-induced PGE2 synthesis by BN52021 and SRI 63-072, the authors prelabeled cells with [14C]arachidonic acid. Both agents diminished the release of [14C]arachidonate from these prelabeled cells in response to PAF in a dose-dependent fashion, though not decreasing release in response to AII or A23187, indicating that they blocked the effect of PAF on phospholipase activation, consistent with receptor blocking activity. BN52021 and SRI 63-072 also inhibited PAF-induced contraction of cultured mesangial cells without an effect on basal tone of the cells or the contractile response to AII.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor-mediated calcium mobilization and phosphoinositide turnover in neurohybrid NG108-15 cells: studies with BN50739, a new PAF antagonist.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is an unusually potent lipid autacoid with a variety of biological activities. The growing body of evidence suggests that PAF might play an important role in modulation of central nervous system function, particularly during ischemia- and trauma-induced neuronal damage. However, the mechanisms involved in PAF actions on neuronal or other brain cells is virtually unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to characterize PAF receptor-mediated cellular signal transduction in neurohybrid NG108-15 cells with the aid of a new potent PAF antagonist, BN 50739. PAF induced an immediate and concentration-dependent increase in [Ca++]i with an EC50 of 6.8 nM. PAF-induced [Ca++]i mobilization was inhibited by several structurally unrelated PAF antagonists such as BN 50739, WEB 2086, SRI 63-441 and BN 52021, in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 4.8, 6.9, 809 and 98500 nM, respectively. The calcium channel blockers nifedipine (5 microM) and diltiazem (10 microM) had no effect on the PAF-induced increase in [Ca++]i, but omission of CA++ from the incubation buffer caused an 82% reduction of PAF-induced [Ca++]i elevation; the remainder contributed from intracellular sources was completely inhibited by 10 microM TMB-8, an intracellular Ca++ blocker. NG108-15 cells exhibited homologous desensitization to sequential addition of PAF, but no heterologous desensitization between PAF and other agonists such as bradykinin, endothelin, angiotensin II and ATP was observed. PAF stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 of 5.1 nM for IP3 formation, which was also inhibited by the PAF antagonist BN 50739 in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 3.6 nM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Early and late tracheobronchial plasma exudation by platelet-activating factor administered to the airway mucosal surface in guinea pigs: effects of WEB 2086 and enprofylline

The effects of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist, WEB 2086, and the xanthine, enprofylline, on PAF-induced plasma exudation in tracheobronchial airways has been studied in guinea pigs. Superfusion of PAF (4 nmol) onto the tracheal mucosal surface caused a significant exudation of the i.v. plasma tracers [131I]albumin and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (fluorescein-labeled dextran MW 156 kDa) during the first 15 min after PAF (early response) and also 5 hr later (late response). The early, but not the late, response could be identified histologically by a particulate tracer (carbon given i.v.) which was trapped in submucosal leaky vessels. WEB 2086 [3 mg (6.6 mumol)/kg] caused significant attenuation of both the early plasma exudative response (with loss of carbon-labeled vessels) and the late plasma exudative response to PAF. The late response was equally well attenuated by enprofylline [4.85 mg (25 mumol)/kg] given before PAF. It is concluded that PAF-induced late (as well as early) plasma exudative responses in guinea pig tracheobronchial airways are the result of specific receptor activation by topical PAF and that the antiasthma xanthine enprofylline can inhibit this PAF-induced late response. Our data suggest that particulate tracers, such as carbon, cannot detect microvessels involved in the ongoing late phase exudative response to PAF.     

Functional validation of platelet-activating factor receptor sites characterized biochemically by a specific and reproducible [3H]platelet-activating factor binding in human platelets

In human platelet membranes, [3H]platelet-activating factor(PAF)-C18 binding sites exhibited high affinity (Kd 0.074 +/- 0.005 nM, n = 28 healthy volunteers), saturability, elevated stereoselectivity, marked pharmacological specificity and small intersubject variability. The maximal binding capacity was 215 +/- 12 fmol/mg protein. Saturation of [3H]PAF binding was obtained with 0.3 nM ligand, and its isotherm was compatible with a single class of binding sites. The stereoselectivity for [3H]PAF was clearly indicated by the low displacing potency of enantio-PAF-C16 (the synthetic enantiomer of PAF) that was 5000-fold less potent than PAF. Specific [3H]PAF binding attained 65% with 0.1 nM ligand and was displaced fully not only by cold PAF but also by RP 59227 (Ki = 6.2 +/- 1.3 nM, n = 7), a novel, potent and specific PAF receptor antagonist in a pure enantiomeric form and several other antagonists such as CV-6209, WEB 2086, L-652,731 and BN 52021. Various classical pharmacological agents did not interfere with the [3H]PAF binding. In intact platelets, [3H]PAF binding shared the same properties as those just described for membrane preparations. A functional role for these binding sites was suggested by the high correlation (r = 0.94, P less than .001) between the Ki values for several known PAF antagonists determined in [3H]PAF binding and the IC50 values obtained against PAF-induced aggregation in whole platelets. Thus, the present [3H]PAF binding in human platelet membranes may be a useful pharmacological tool to study possible changes in [3H]PAF binding parameters induced by pathological states for which PAF may be directly or indirectly responsible.     

Role of platelet-activating factor in pneumolysin-induced acute lung injury

OBJECTIVE: Acute respiratory failure is a major complication of severe pneumococcal pneumonia, characterized by impairment of pulmonary microvascular barrier function and pulmonary hypertension. Both features can be evoked by pneumolysin (PLY), an important virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae. We hypothesized that platelet-activating factor (PAF) and associated downstream signaling pathways play a role in the PLY-induced development of acute lung injury. DESIGN: Controlled, ex vivo laboratory study. SUBJECTS: Female Balb/C mice, 8-12 wks old. INTERVENTIONS: Ventilated and blood-free-perfused lungs of wild-type and PAF receptor-deficient mice were challenged with recombinant PLY. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intravascular PLY, but not the pneumolysoid Pd-B (PLY with a Trp-Phe substitution at position 433), caused an impressive dose-dependent increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and increased PAF in lung homogenates, as detected by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The pressor response was reduced in lungs of PAF receptor-deficient mice and after PAF receptor blockade by BN 50730. PLY and exogenous PAF increased thromboxane B2 in lung effluate, and thromboxane receptor inhibition by BM 13505 diminished the pressor response to PLY. Differential inhibition of intracellular signaling steps suggested significant contribution of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and protein kinase C and of the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway to PLY-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. Unrelated to the pulmonary arterial pressor response, microvascular leakage of PLY was diminished in lungs of PAF receptor-deficient mice as well. CONCLUSIONS: PAF significantly contributed to PLY-induced acute injury in murine lungs. The PAF-mediated pressor response to PLY depends on thromboxane and on the downstream effectors phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C, protein kinase C, and Rho-kinase.     

The platelet activating factor receptor antagonist, RP 59227, blocks platelet activating factor receptors mediating liberation of reactive oxygen species in guinea pig macrophages and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

In elicited (mineral oil) peritoneal guinea pig macrophages, there was a specific [3H]platelet activating factor (PAF) binding which displayed concentration dependency, saturability, high affinity (Kd = 2.2 +/- 0.2 nM, n = 15), elevated capacity (Bmax = 122,808 +/- 10,234 sites/cell, n = 15) and irreversibility. PAF(C16) and the PAF antagonists RP 59227, Ro 19-3704 and WEB 2086 prevented the binding of [3H]PAF. RP 59227 (Ki = 3.1 +/- 0.3 nM, n = 5) was about 5- and 8-fold more potent than Ro 19-3704 and WEB 2086, respectively. In competition studies, RP 59227 produced dextral and concentration-dependent shifts of the sigmoidal inhibition curve of [3H]PAF binding by PAF(C16). Macrophages exposed to PAF produced chemiluminescence signals, the magnitude of which was concentration related (pD2 = 8.40 +/- 0.03, n = 13) and which were inhibited by the oxygen radical scavengers, superoxide dismutase, catalase, deferoxamine and mannitol. RP 59227 and WEB 2086 antagonized in a noncompetitive manner (pD'2 = 7.72 +/- 0.01 and 8.15 +/- 0.05, respectively) the control PAF concentration-response curve. By contrast, Ro 19-3704 behaved as a competitive antagonist (pA2 = 8.13 +/- 0.11). The apparent noncompetitive effects of RP 59227 were not due to undisplaceable binding to PAF receptors because washing of macrophages exposed to RP 59227 allowed the recovery of PAF luminescence and PAF binding. This procedure was poorly effective to lessen the inhibitory activity of WEB 2086. In human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the weak potency of PAF was enhanced by 10-fold (pD2 = 7.61 +/- 0.06, n = 6) when polymorphonuclear leukocytes were primed for 10 min with fMLP (5 nM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pulmonary hypertension and edema induced by platelet-activating factor in isolated, perfused rat lungs are blocked by BN52021

The experimental intravenous administration of platelet activating factor (PAF) induces pulmonary hypertension and directly or indirectly increases capillary permeability. Selective PAF antagonists BN52021 and L652-731 have been shown to inhibit the action of PAF in vitro and in vivo. Using a unique isolated perfused rat lung model, we measured the effect of these PAF antagonists on PAF-induced pulmonary hypertension and edema. Isolated rat lungs were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution. The right and left pulmonary arteries were dissected so that they could be perfused selectively, permitting the use of one lung as an internal control for a specific pharmacologic challenge. Exposure of one lung to PAF induced an increase of perfusion pressure and wet/dry lung weight ratio in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control lung. The PAF antagonists attenuated the increase in perfusion pressure and wet/dry lung weight caused by PAF (0.75 micrograms) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, prostaglandin F2 alpha induced an equivalent increase in pulmonary pressure without causing a similar increase in lung edema. PAF-induced pulmonary hypertension and the increase in wet/dry lung weight ratio appear to be PAF receptor-mediated processes, and the use of specific antagonists and this technique may be useful probes to determine the role of PAF in pathophysiologic states.     

Pharmacologic activity of bepafant (WEB 2170), a new and selective hetrazepinoic antagonist of platelet activating factor

The hetrazepine WEB 2170 (international nonproprietary name: bepafant), a thieno-triazolodiazepine that is structurally related to the recently described platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist WEB 2086, is a potent and selective PAF antagonist both in vitro and in vivo. WEB 2170 inhibited PAF-induced human platelet and neutrophil aggregation in vitro (IC50 values: 0.3 and 0.83 microM, respectively) but had little or no inhibitory action against aggregation induced by other agonists. The potency in vitro was comparable to that described recently for WEB 2086 (Casals-Stenzel, J., Muacevic, G. and Weber, K.H.: J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 241: 974-981, 1987). When guinea pigs were given i.v. infusions of PAF at 30 ng x kg-1 x min-1, oral (0.005-0.5 mg/kg) as well as intravenous (0.005-0.05 mg/kg) treatment with WEB 2170 abrogated the intrathoracic accumulation of 111In-labeled platelets, the bronchoconstriction and the hypotension as well as the finally occurring death in a dose-dependent fashion. Oral (0.01-1 mg/kg) and intravenous (0.005-0.1 mg/kg) WEB 2170 shared with the beta 2 agonist fenoterol and the steroid dexamethasone the property of protecting elderly NMRI mice from the lethal effect of PAF. In anesthetized rats, intravenous (0.001-0.1 mg/kg) and oral (0.05-1 mg/kg) WEB 2170 inhibited PAF-induced hypotension in a dose-related manner. Coadministration of WEB 2170 inhibited PAF-induced increase of vascular permeability in rat skin very effectively. The half-time of duration of action in the rat was estimated to be about 5 to 6 h after oral administration and about 1.1 to 2.3 h after intravenous application. In conclusion, the hetrazepine WEB 2170 is a strong and selective PAF antagonist, which is in vitro more or less equipotent to WEB 2086. In contrast, in vivo oral WEB 2170 is--depending on the species and considered parameter--about 5 to 40 times more potent against exogenous PAF-induced alterations than the recently described hetrazepine WEB 2086. Particularly in mice and rats, oral WEB 2170 is by far superior to WEB 2086.     

Beneficial effects of TCV-309, a novel potent and selective platelet activating factor antagonist in endotoxin and anaphylactic shock in rodents.

Pharmacological profiles of a novel specific platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist, TCV-309 (3-bromo-5-[N-phenyl-N-[2-[2- (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-isoquinolycarbonyloxy)ethyl] carbamoyl]ethyl] carbamoyl]-1-propylpyridinium nitrate] and its beneficial effects in shock were examined. TCV-309 specifically inhibited PAF-induced aggregation of rabbit and human platelets, and [3H]PAF binding to rabbit platelet microsomes with IC50 values of 33, 58 and 27 nM, respectively. It was as potent as WEB 2086 and more potent than CV-6209 and CV-3988. TCV-309 did not cause hemolysis in human or rat blood due to a detergent-like action. In rats, TCV-309 selectively inhibited the PAF-induced hypotension, hemoconcentration and death with ED50 values of 2.7, 6.4 and 1.7 micrograms/kg (i.v.), respectively. TCV-309 most potently protected mice from death induced by PAF and due to anaphylactic shock with ED50 values of 2.1 and 2.6 micrograms/kg (i.v.), respectively, when compared with CV-3988, CV-6209, WEB 2086 (i.v.) and L-652731 (p.o.). TCV-309 also reversed PAF-induced hypotension and endotoxin-induced hypotension in rats with ED50 values of 3.3 and 1.2 micrograms/kg (i.v.), respectively. There was a significant linear relationship between the ability (ED50 value) of these PAF antagonists to prevent death induced by PAF and death due to anaphylactic shock in mice, and between their reversing ability (ED50 value) for the hypotension induced by PAF and endotoxin in rats. TCV-309 (100 micrograms/kg i.v.) protected rats from death induced by endotoxin. Thus, PAF may be a lethal mediator in anaphylactic shock and a hypotensive mediator in endotoxin shock in rodents.     

Impact of platelet activating factor on vascular responsiveness in isolated rat lungs

Platelet activating factor (PAF), a suspected mediator of acute lung injury, has been shown to potentiate contraction in isolated porcine carotid arteries. Such an action of PAF, if it occurred in the pulmonary circulation, could be of significance to the evolution of pulmonary hypertension in acute lung injury. Accordingly, we used isolated rat lungs perfused at a constant flow rate with physiologic salt solution to test the hypothesis that PAF-induced lung injury is associated with pulmonary vascular hyperresponsiveness to constrictor stimuli. PAF in concentrations of 0.1 to 10 ng/ml failed to influence pressor responses evoked by i.a. bolus injections of angiotensin II (Ang II) whereas 1 micrograms/ml of PAF significantly blunted Ang II-induced vasoconstriction. Similarly, 1 micrograms/ml, but not 0.1 ng/ml, of PAF attenuated constriction induced by ventilation with 3% O2. PAF at all concentrations tested failed to influence pressor responses evoked by i.a. bolus injections of KCI. Concentrations of PAF which blunted Ang II and hypoxic responses were associated with increased lung wet-to-dry weight ratios indicative of pulmonary edema. Another agent that provokes edema, cytochalasin B, also increased lung wet-to-dry weight ratios and blunted Ang II-, hypoxia-, and KCI-induced pressor responses. PAF delivered as i.a. bolus injections caused acute vasodilation in preparations preconstricted with Ang II but not in those preconstricted with KCI. Collectively, these observations demonstrate that PAF fails to augment and instead blunts pulmonary vascular responsiveness to pressor stimuli, possibly by mechanisms that relate to PAF-induced edema formation and/or vasodilation.     

Thrombin-induced leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are attenuated by PAF antagonist WEB 2086

Thrombin has been shown to increase pulmonary transvascular permeability in vivo. This permeability change appears to be dependent on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In vitro, thrombin has been demonstrated to increase PMN adherence to endothelial cells coincident with generation of platelet activating factor (PAF) by endothelial cells. These observations have led to the suggestion that PAF mediates, in part, the attachment of PMNs to endothelial cells. We examined this hypothesis in vivo and in vitro with a specific PAF receptor antagonist, WEB 2086. Prior infusion of WEB 2086 into conscious sheep significantly attenuated the drop in peripheral blood PMN counts observed during and after infusion of alpha-thrombin (30 NIH U/kg). These data suggest that WEB 2086 prevented PMN margination on endothelial cells. WEB 2086 also attenuated the thrombocytopenia seen after thrombin infusion and ameliorated the thrombin-induced hypoxemia and hemoconcentration. WEB 2086 did not affect the thrombin-induced hemodynamic response, the degree of intravascular coagulation as assessed by fibrin degradation product generation, or thromboxane B2 generation. In vitro, WEB 2086 prevented the augmented adherence of sheep PMNs to sheep endothelial cell monolayers after thrombin stimulation. The results of the present study are consistent with the hypothesis that PAF mediates, at least in part, thrombin-induced leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in vivo.     

Inverse agonist activity of selected ligands of platelet-activating factor receptor

The receptor for platelet-activating factor (PAFR) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. According to the allosteric ternary complex model, GPCRs exist in an equilibrium between different conformations. Agonist binding promotes and stabilizes the receptor in an active conformation. On the other hand, ligands that stabilize the inactive conformation are known as inverse agonists. Due to the association of platelet-activating factor (PAF) with diverse physiological and pathological processes, considerable efforts have been invested in the development of antagonists to PAFR. A large number of these molecules has been shown to specifically interact with PAFR but, surprisingly, little is known about their impact on the conformation of the receptor and its activity. By using a constitutively active mutant (L231R) of the human PAFR and by transiently coexpressing the wild-type (WT) receptor with the G(alpha)q subunit of the trimeric G protein, we were able to address this issue with ligands of diverse structures such as phospholipids, benzodiazepines, furans, and others. We demonstrated that some of these molecules are potent inverse agonists. For example, when cells (WT PAFR + G(alpha)q) were exposed to WEB2086, SM10661, or alprazolam, the basal inositol phosphate production was reduced by 53 +/- 6, 44 +/- 3, and 54 +/- 4%, respectively. The decrease in basal inositol phosphate production by WEB2086 was significantly inhibited by a more neutral antagonist BN52021, confirming the specificity of the reaction. We demonstrate here that WEB2086 and other known ligands previously considered as antagonists can act as inverse agonists on the human PAF receptor.     

Pharmacological actions of WEB 2086, a new specific antagonist of platelet activating factor

WEB 2086, a thieno-triazolodiazepine, is a potent and specific antagonist of platelet activating factor (PAF) in vitro and in vivo. This compound inhibits PAF-induced human platelet and neutrophil aggregation in vitro (IC50 = 0.17 and 0.36 microM, respectively) but has little or no effect on the action of other platelet aggregating agents. In comparison with kadsurenone, ketotifen or thiazinamium chloride, WEB 2086 was 26 to 200 times more potent in the PAF-induced platelet aggregation. In anesthetized guinea pigs, pretreatment with 0.1 to 2.0 mg/kg p.o. or 0.01 to 0.5 mg/kg i.v. of WEB 2086 inhibits dose-dependently the accumulation and aggregation of 111Indium labeled platelets, bronchoconstriction, systemic hypotension and also the lethal effect due to an i.v. PAF infusion [30 ng/(kg X min)] or intratracheal instillation of PAF (300 micrograms/kg). Under the same experimental conditions in guinea pigs, WEB 2086 given by inhalation achieved a similar anti-PAF activity. In anesthetized rats, the hypotension induced by an i.v. PAF infusion was also reversed (ED50 = 0.052 mg/kg i.v.). The increase in cutaneous vascular permeability due to intradermal PAF (25 ng/site) was inhibited dose-dependently by WEB 2086 (0.025-2 micrograms/site) in rats. Because of its structural relationship to triazolodiazepines, WEB 2086 was examined for anticonvulsant and sedative action. Up to doses of 300 and 800 mg/kg p.o., respectively, no effects were found. In conclusion, WEB 2086 is a potent and specific PAF antagonist with triazolodiazepine structure but without sedative activity.     

PAF-acether and endotoxin display similar effects on rat mesenteric microvessels: inhibition by specific antagonists

The activity of platelet activating factor (PAF-acether) and the effects of specific antagonists BN 52021 and WEB 2086 on microvessels were studied. The mesentery of anaesthetized male Wistar rats was exteriorized and arranged for microscopic observation of the microcirculation in situ. Vessel diameters were measured with an image splitting micrometer adjusted to the phototube of the microscope. Images were displayed on the monitor screen of a closed-circuit television system. Topical application of PAF (10, 100 and 200 microM) enlarged the diameter of mesenteric arterioles and venules, which was antagonized by PAF antagonists administered i.v. (1 mg/kg) or topically (10 microM). Bolus injection (1 micrograms/kg) or perfusion (100 ng/kg/min) of PAF significantly decreased mean arterial blood pressure of the animals and slightly increased arteriolar diameters. These effects were blocked by the PAF antagonists. Endotoxin (10-20 mg/kg i.v.) significantly enlarged arteriolar diameters and produced a significant drop of arterial blood pressure. These effects were blocked by the PAF antagonists at doses equivalent to those used to antagonize the effects of PAF. The leukocyte activator fMLP, as well as lyso-PAF and PAF antagonists, were devoid of effects on the microcirculation when applied topically or injected i.v. We conclude that mesenteric microvessels contribute to the hypotensive effect of PAF and endotoxin and that PAF is released at the mesenteric area during endotoxic shock.     

Platelet-activating factor induces lung inflammation and leak in rats: hydrogen peroxide production along neutrophil-lung endothelial cell interfaces

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels and neutrophils are increased in the lung-lavage fluid of patients with acute lung injury (ALI), and instilling IL-1 intratracheally into rats causes rapid lung-neutrophil influx and neutrophil-dependent lung leakage. IL-1 insufflation also increases platelet-activating factor (PAF) activity in rat lung, and PAF is increased in the lung-lavage fluid of ALI patients. To assess the direct effects of PAF on the lung, we administered PAF intratracheally in rats. We found that rats given PAF (5 microg) intratracheally had increased lung nuclear factor-kappaB activation, myeloperoxidase activity, numbers of lavage neutrophils, lavage neutrophil nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, and leakage compared with sham-treated rats administered saline solution intratracheally. Electron microscopic examination also indicated that lungs from rats given PAF intratracheally had increased neutrophil infiltration, cell damage, and neutrophil-endothelial cell interface cerium chloride staining - a marker of hydrogen peroxide production - compared with sham-treated rats. Simultaneous treatment with a PAF receptor-antagonist, WEB 2086, decreased the aforementioned changes observed after intratracheal administration of PAF.     

Platelet-activating factor stimulates arachidonic acid release and enhances thromboxane B2 production in intact fetal rat brain ex vivo.

The ability of brain preparations from 20-day-old rat fetuses to synthesize eicosanoids in the presence of platelet activating factor (PAF) was investigated. A rise (49%) in thromboxane B2 (TxB2; the stable thromboxane A2 metabolite) was observed after 30 min in the presence of 0.6 microM PAF. Repetitive administration of PAF did not rise TxB2 production above a certain level, suggesting desensitization. 1-O-alkyl, sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lyso-PAF) at 0.6 microM had no effect, whereas selective PAF antagonists, i.e., BN52021, BN50739 and BN50727, or indomethacin, a general cyclooxygenase inhibitor, blocked completely TxB2 synthesis. The calcium ionophore A23187 (10 microM) stimulated production of TxB2, prostaglandin E2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha eicosanoids, whereas extracellular calcium deprivation did not impair eicosanoid release. The effects of PAF and A23187 on TxB2 synthesis were not additive and were not dependent on extracellular calcium. Chelation of intracellular Ca++ by Fluo-3/AM reduced production of TxB2 and prostaglandin E2 eicosanoids. Fluo-3/AM also blocked effectively PAF-dependent TxB2 release, indicating that production of TxB2 was almost entirely dependent on free intracellular calcium levels. PAF-dependent changes in brain phospholipids, prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid, were examined. One hour after in vivo injection of the isotope, fetal brains were removed and incubated in vitro for 30 min with carbamyl-PAF. Radioactivity in arachidonic acid and diglyceride fractions increased (35% and 30%, respectively), whereas radioactivity in phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol decreased. BN50726 antagonist abolished the effect of PAF. The radioactivity in poly-phosphoinositides was diminished (30-40% decrease) after PAF addition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

血小板活化因子受体拮抗剂对缺血再灌注脑损伤的作用

目的血小板活化因子(platelet activatingfactor,PAF)与缺血再灌注脑损伤有密切关系.利用PAF受体拮抗剂WEB2086有助于对PAF、炎性细胞浸润及一氧化氮在脑缺血再灌注损伤中的作用和机制进行深入研究.方法采用线栓法制成大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型,研究PAF对缺血再灌注脑损伤的影响.结果PAF受体拮抗剂WEB2086对缺血再灌注脑组织一氧化氮的产生有明显的影响,且可明显改善缺血再灌注脑组织的局部脑血流量(regional cerebral blood flow,rCBF)和显著降低髓过氧化物酶(myeloperoxidase of leukocytes,MPO)活性[缺血再灌注24 h一氧化氮浓度从3.94μmmol/L下降到1.62μmmol/L;rCBF从85.8mL/(min·100 g)上升到93.8mL/(min·100 g);MPO从3.24U/g下降到2.32U/g],最终减轻局部缺血再灌注脑损伤.结论PAF受体拮抗剂WEB2086对缺血再灌注脑组织的保护作用与一氧化氮有关.     

Generation of an eosinophilotactic activity in the pleural cavity of platelet-activating factor-injected rats

The injection of platelet-activating factor (PAF) into the rat pleural cavity resulted in a marked increase in the number of eosinophils, neutrophils and mononuclear cells recovered from pleural washings after 6 hr. Within 24 hr, neutrophils and mononuclear cell counts returned to control values, whereas the eosinophilia peaked and persisted up to 96 hr. Treatment with the PAF antagonist BN 52021 [3-(1,1-dimethylethyl)hexahydro-1,4,7b-trihydroxy-8-alpha-methyl-9H-1,7- alpha-(epoxymethanol)1H,6aH-cyclopenta (c) furo (2,3-5) (3',2':3,4) cyclopenta (1,2-d) furan-5,9,12(4H)trione)] (5-20 micrograms/cavity) or with dexamethasone (1-50 micrograms/cavity) inhibited the early (6 hr) and late (24 hr) pleural eosinophil accumulation induced by PAF. Dexamethasone, but not BN 52021, was still effective in inhibiting the late eosinophilia if administered 5 hr after the lipid, suggesting that the delayed eosinophilia may involve a secondary mechanism, still responsive to the glucocorticoid, but independent of PAF itself. The coinjection of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide or of the inhibitor of mRNA synthesis DNA-dependent actinomycin D selectively suppressed the eosinophil mobilization at 24 hr. Transfer of the cell-free 6-hr PAF pleural washing from donor to normal recipient rats led to a selective and delayed pleural eosinophilia. This activity was destroyed by heating (+100 degrees C) or freezing (-20 degrees C) the material recovered from the donor pleural fluid. Treatment of donors, but not recipients, with either BN 25021, dexamethasone, actinomycin D or cycloheximide inhibited the late eosinophil accumulation triggered by transferred PAF pleural washing, indicating that the generation of this eosinophilotactic activity, but not its effects, is suppressed by those agents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)