PAF binding sites. Characterization by [3H]52770 RP, a pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole derivative, in rabbit platelets

52770 RP, the N-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-(3-pyridinyl)-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole -7-carboxamide, displaces in a potent, specific and competitive manner [3H]PAF from its binding sites on rabbit platelets. Since 52770 RP is not structurally related to PAF and has low liposolubility with respect to PAF, it was selected as a potential radioligand for PAF receptor sites. [3H]52770 RP displayed high-affinity, specificity, as well as saturable and displaceable binding to a single class of recognition sites in intact platelets and crude platelet membranes. In these preparations, the values of binding parameters were, respectively, 8.5 and 7.6 nM for Kd, 0.2 pmol/5 X 10(7) platelets and 3.66 pmol/mg protein for Bmax and 0.96 and 0.91 for nH. Inasmuch as the (+)-52770 RP was 300-fold more potent than the (-)-isomer at displacing [3H]52770 RP in intact platelets, the studied binding site manifested stereospecific discrimination. A variety of pharmacological agents including pro- and anti-aggregant compounds did not exhibit affinity for [3H]52770 RP binding sites. In contrast, PAF, some of its active analogues and several recognized PAF antagonists (BN 52021, brotizolam, L-652,731, triazolam), displaced the [3H]52770 RP binding. Studies carried out using [3H]PAF demonstrated that 52770 RP was approximately 4- and 200-fold more potent than L-652,731 and BN 52021 respectively, as a PAF-receptor antagonist. In washed rabbit platelets, the rank order of potency (Ki) for several analogues of 52770 RP, to displace [3H]PAF from its binding sites, was highly correlated (r = 0.96) to their ability to antagonize [3H]52770 RP binding. In functional studies, 52770 RP antagonized not only the PAF-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets but also the hypotension evoked by PAF in the anesthetized rat. In this respect, it was 26 and 2 times more potent than L-652,731, respectively. In conclusion, [3H]52770 RP might represent a novel interesting tool for furthering our understanding of the role of PAF binding sites in pathophysiological processes.     

Pharmacological characterization of the Raji lymphoblast platelet-activating factor receptor

Previous studies in our laboratory have described the presence of high-affinity plateletactivating factor (PAF) binding sites on the B lymphoblast cell line, Raji. In the present study, PAF receptor antagonists were used to examine the specificity of [³H]PAF binding and PAF-induced intracellular calcium mobilization in this human lymphocyte cell line. In binding studies conducted at 4°C, PAF receptor antagonists competed with [³H]PAF for binding to Raji lymphocytes with the following rank order of potency: Ro 19-3704 ～ CV-6209 > CV-3988 > BN52021 > alprazolam. This order of potency is similar to those described for binding studies in platelets and neutrophils. The PAF receptor antagonists CV-6209 and alprazolam inhibited the PAF-induced calcium changes and PAF binding with similar potencies, indicating that the high-affinity PAF binding sites are functional receptors coupled to calcium mobilization. The calcium channel antagonists verapamil, diltizem, and nimodipine inhibited Raji lymphoblast PAF binding with similar potencies, but had no effect on PAF-induced intracellular calcium changes, suggesting the possibility that these compounds are not true competitive antagonists. These studies provide evidence that the Raji lymphoblast PAF receptor is pharmacologically similar to PAF receptors found on platelets and neutrophils, and thus could be of use as a model system to study the PAF receptor.     

Selective inhibition of adrenaline-induced human platelet aggregation by the structurally related Paf antagonist Ro 19-3704.

1. Two non-lipid antagonists of platelet-activating factor acether (Paf), BN 52021 and WEB 2086, at concentrations which completely blocked Paf-induced platelet aggregation, failed to interfere with aggregation by adrenaline. In contrast, Ro 19-3704, a structurally related antagonist of Paf, inhibited concentration-dependently aggregation induced by adrenaline or by the simultaneous addition of submaximal concentrations of adrenaline and Paf. Reversal of aggregation was obtained when Ro 19-3704 was added to the platelet suspension after adrenaline. 2. Ro 19-3704 was selective for Paf and adrenaline since it failed to interfere with platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid or ADP. CV-3988, an antagonist of Paf structurally similar to Ro 19-3704, also inhibited adrenaline-induced aggregation. However, a morpholine analogue (MA) of Paf, which has no anti-Paf activity, failed to interfere with the aggregation induced by adrenaline. This suggests that the effect of Ro 19-3704 and CV-3988 on adrenaline is not simply due to their lipid structure. 3. Experiments on plasma membrane preparations showed that Ro 19-3704 inhibited [3H]-yohimbine binding with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 7 +/- 3 microM. In contrast, BN 52021 and MA did not interfere with [3H]-yohimbine binding. Equilibrium binding experiments showed that Ro 19-3704 increased the apparent KD of [3H]-yohimbine binding from 2.02 +/- 0.15 to 7.3 +/- 0.4 nM. The Paf antagonist Ro 19-3704 interacts specifically with the alpha 2-adrenoceptor and may thus prevent the early steps involved in the mechanism of adrenaline-induced platelet activation.     

Inhibition of the metabolism of platelet activating factor (PAF-acether) by three specific antagonists from Ginkgo biloba

Washed rabbit platelet suspensions were incubated in the presence of 1-[3H]O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine ([3H] PAF-acether), which was metabolized into 1-[3H]O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (alkylacyl-GPC) through the sequential action of cytosolic acetylhydrolase and membrane transacylase. Within 60 min at 37 degrees, percentage of [3H] PAF-acether metabolized was 50.3 +/- 5.2% (9 experiments). This conversion was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by various concentrations of ginkgolides A, B and C (BN 52020, 52021, 52022) known as specific antagonists of PAF-acether. The three compounds displayed the following order of potency: BN 52021 (IC50 = 3.6 X 10(-6) M) greater than BN 52020 (IC50 = 9.7 X 10(-6) M) greater than BN 52022 (IC50 = 37.6 X 10(-6) M). As this order is the same as that previously defined for inhibition of platelet aggregation to PAF-acether or for inhibition of PAF-acether binding to platelets, our data bring further support to the view that PAF-acether metabolism in platelets involves in some way its binding to its membrane receptor.     

Ro 19-3704 directly inhibits immunoglobulin E-dependent mediator release by a mechanism independent of its platelet-activating factor antagonist properties.

Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL 2H3) cells were passively sensitized by exposure to monoclonal anti-trinitrophenol mouse immunoglobulin E (anti-trinitrophenol IgE) (0.5 microgram/ml) and triggered by exposure to a sub-optimal concentration of trinitrophenol ovalbumin conjugate (5 ng/ml). At this concentration, trinitrophenol-ovalbumin increased histamine release from a basal rate of 4.8 +/- 0.5 to 28.5 +/- 4.6% and peptidoleukotrienes from less than 0.1 to 4.2 +/- 1.3 ng/10(6) cells in the activated cells. Ro 19-3704 and Ro 19-1400, platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists which are structural analogs of PAF, potently inhibited both the IgE-dependent release of histamine (IC50 values of 3.0 and 3.6 microM, respectively) and LT release (IC50 values of 5.0 microM for both compounds) from the cells. These effects appeared to be independent to the ability of the compounds to act as PAF antagonists since PAF on its own had no effect on mediator release, and WEB 2086 and BN 52021, structurally distinct PAF antagonists, were relatively ineffective as inhibitors of mediator release. Ro 19-3704 and Ro 19-1400 were observed to be potent inhibitors of the soluble phospholipase A2 activity in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritic patients (IC50 values of 6.5 and 8.4 microM, respectively). In contrast, WEB 2086 and BN 52021 had no effect on this phospholipase A2. Ro 19-3704 significantly inhibited the IgE-dependent formation of inositol phosphates in RBL 2H3 cells (IC50 value of 7.0 microM). These data suggest that the mediator release inhibitory action of these compounds may be related to the ability of these compounds to inhibit phospholipase A2 and/or phospholipase C.     

PAF-acether antagonistic pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazoles: from RP 48740 to RP 59227

The optimisation of the PAF antagonistic activity of RP 48740 led to the discovery of still more potent molecules of the pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole family: RP 52629, RP 52770 and RP 59227. The latter compound, for which a stereo-specific synthesis was developed, exhibits a very high potency as a PAF receptor antagonist.     

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.     

Species difference in the specific receptors of platelet activating factor

Relative potencies of platelet activating factor (PAF) and PAF analogs and several PAF receptor antagonists when inhibiting the [3H]PAF specific binding to human and rabbit platelet membranes and membrane fragments of human lung tissues were compared. In rabbit platelets, L-652,731 was found to be most potent in the list of PAF receptor antagonists with an equilibrium inhibition constant (Ki) of 9.83 (+/- 2.92) X 10(-9) M followed by L-653,150 greater than kadsurenone congruent to Ono-6240 greater than ginkgolide B greater than CV-3988 greater than L-651,142, whereas in human platelets the relative potencies of these PAF receptor antagonists were as follows: Ono-6240 greater than L-653,150 congruent to L-652,731 congruent to kadsurenone greater than ginkgolide B greater than CV-3988 greater than L-651,142. Ono-6240 was the most potent one with a Ki of 4.86 (+/- 1.44) X 10(-8) M which was roughly two times more potent than that in rabbit platelets, whereas the affinity of L-652,731 was about ten times less in human platelets (Ki = 1.03 (+/- 0.15) X 10(-7) M) compared to that in rabbit platelets (Ki = 9.83 (+/- 2.92) X 10(-9) M). These variations between species among PAF antagonists strongly suggest that there exists a species difference at or near the binding site of the receptor of platelet activating factor. The relative potency of these PAF receptor antagonists in human lung membranes differed very little from that in human platelets and was found to be Ono-6240 greater than L-653,150 congruent to kadsurenone congruent to L-652,731 greater than ginkgolide B greater than CV-3988 greater than L-651,142. Even though C16-PAF showed slightly higher potency in human lung, and CV-3988 and Ono-6240 showed slightly lower, the difference was too small to suggest that there is a difference in the PAF receptors between human platelets and human lung tissues.     

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.     

Pinusolidic acid: a platelet-activating factor inhibitor from Biota orientalis

The water extract of Biota orientalis showed a potent inhibitory effect on platelet activating factor (PAF) binding to rabbit platelets using [ (3)H]PAF as a ligand in our previous screening studies for Korean medicinal antagonists by the activity-guided purification studies. Another active compound, compound 1 (IC (50) = 2.3 x 10 (-5)M, 7.48 +/- 2.11 microg/ml, n = 4) was isolated from the title plant. The chemical structure of compound 1 was elucidated as pinusolidic acid by chemical and spectrometric analyses.     

Evaluation of PAF antagonists using human neutrophils in a microtiter plate assay

This paper describes a testing model for the detection and evaluation of PAF antagonists, based on the inhibition of PAF-elicited elastase release by human neutrophils. Incubations are performed in microtiter plates in the presence of a specific fluorogenic elastase substrate allowing direct measurement of the exocytosis response by means of a 96-well fluorescence reader. Determinations of the IC50 values for five established PAF antagonists, Ro 19-3704, BN 52021, CV-3988, 48740 RP and kadsurenone, showed that the new model is comparable in sensitivity and discriminative capacity to other in vitro assays. From the effect of antagonists on the PAF concentration-response curve pA2 values could be calculated and information on the type of antagonism obtained. BN 52021 was found to behave as a competitive antagonist while Ro 19-3704 showed a more complex type of inhibition. As a one-plate system, the test is simple to handle and highly reproducible, and appears therefore particularly useful for large drug screening programs.     

Triflavin potentiates the antiplatelet activity of platelet activating factor receptor antagonist on activated neutrophil-induced platelet aggregation

In this study, specific platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist ginkgolide B (BN52021) was tested for its antiplatelet activity in zymosan activated polymorphonuclear neutrophil-induced platelet aggregation. Triflavin was also tested for its antiplatelet activity compared with PAF receptor antagonist. Triflavin, an Arg–Gly–Asp-containing disintegrin purified from venom peptide inhibited platelet aggregation by interfering with the interaction of fibrinogen with the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. Furthermore, we also report an efficient high resolution method for quantitative analysis of PAF using high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). The supernatant of polymorphonuclear neutrophils after their activation by opsonized zymosan induces the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets. In rabbit platelets, BN52021 (100–1000 μM) only partially inhibited activated polymorphonuclear neutrophil-induced platelet aggregation, and its maximal inhibition was estimated to be about 79%. Triflavin also partially inhibited platelet aggregation about 82% induced by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Furthermore, after treatment with a combination of triflavin (0.26 μM) with various concentrations of BN52021 (4–1000 μM), the inhibitory effect of platelet aggregation was almost completely. This inhibition was greater than that produced by the individual drugs alone. These results indicate that a combination of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex and PAF receptor antagonist could completely inhibit activated polymorphonuclear neutrophil-induced platelet aggregation. In addition, the amount of PAF released from zymosan (6 mg/ml)-activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils was accurately calculated about 11.8±1.5 ng/10⁶ cells, and did not further increase even at a high concentration of zymosan (10 mg/ml). These results suggest that PAF play a major role in the interaction between platelets and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. This interaction may be important in the pathogenesis of thrombosis and inflammatory diseases. Our present findings support the hypothesis that combination therapy with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex antagonists and PAF receptor antagonists may represent a new approach to the treatment of ischemic disorders.     

Specific inhibition of PAF-acether-induced platelet activation by BN 52021 and comparison with the PAF-acether inhibitors kadsurenone and CV 3988

BN 52021 is a chemically defined substance extracted from Ginkgo biloba leaves. Its inhibitory potency was tested on washed human platelets prepared so as to render them specifically sensitivity either to adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (AA) or PAF-acether. Its activity and specificity were compared with those of two other reported inhibitors of PAF-acether effects: Kadsurenone and CV 3988. PAF-acether-induced aggregation of washed human platelets was concentration dependently inhibited by BN 52021 (IC50: 2.22 +/- 0.79 microM against 7.5 nM PAF-acether (n = 3)). Under the same experimental conditions the aggregation triggered by ADP was not modified and that induced by AA was marginally affected. The PAF-acether EC50 in platelet-rich plasma was increased 5- and 46-fold with 1 microM and 5 microM of BN 52021 respectively. This strongly suggested that the mechanism of action of BN 52021 is of the competitive type. Analysis of [3H]PAF-acether binding showed that BN 52021 as well as unlabelled PAF-acether prevented [3H]PAF-acether binding to intact washed platelets. In washed human platelets Kadsurenone affected only PAF-acether-induced aggregation (IC50: 0.8 +/- 0.4 microM (n = 3)), whereas CV 3988 inhibited the aggregation induced by ADP, AA and PAF-acether (IC50 were 10.2 +/- 2.3 microM; 2.2 +/- 0.1 microM; 1.0 +/- 0.1 microM respectively (n = 3). In contrast, up to 30 microM, CV 3988 was a specific antagonist of PAF-acether-induced platelet aggregation in plasma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

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.     

Characterization of platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor by specific binding of [3H]L-659,989, a PAF receptor antagonist, to rabbit platelet membranes: possible multiple conformational states of a single type of PAF receptors

(trans)-2-(3-Methoxy-5-methylsulfonyl-4-propoxyphenyl)-5-(3,4,5- trimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran (L-659,989) is a potent and orally active platelet-activating factor (PAF)-specific and competitive receptor antagonist. The 2,5-tritium-labeled L-659,989 ([3H]L-659,989) specifically binds to rabbit platelet membranes with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 1.60 +/- 0.20 nM in 10 mM MgCl2. Several selected PAF analogs and PAF receptor antagonists show equilibrium inhibition constants roughly similar to those found in the specific [3H]PAF binding assay. Other pharmacological agents with no PAF antagonistic activities do not inhibit the specific binding of [3H]L-659,989. K+ and divalent cations such as Mg2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+ potentiate the specific [3H]L-659,989 binding. Na+ and Li+ also enhance but GTP shows no effect on the specific binding of [3H]L-659,989. However, Ni2+ inhibits the specific binding. Scatchard analysis demonstrates that the potentiating effect of these cations is due to an increase in the detectable receptor number for L-659,989. In 10 mM MgCl2 [3H]L-659,989 shows higher receptor number than [3H]PAF. Under various ionic conditions with or without GTP, in which [3H] L-659,989 binding remains approximately the same, C16-PAF shows different potencies in competing against the specific [3H] L-659,989 binding. These results demonstrate the existence of multiple conformational states of the PAF-specific receptor. The variation in the detectable receptor number under different conditions is due to the coexistence of the high and low affinity states and the fact that the low affinity state(s) of the receptor with KD value(s) possibly in the micromolar range cannot be detected in the Scatchard analysis with the radioligand at nanomolar concentrations. In the presence of 150 mM NaCl and 1 mM GTP, receptors exist in a single conformational state with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KB) of 0.931 microM for PAF.     

High affinity receptor binding of platelet-activating factor in rat peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Rat peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) showed a single class of high affinity binding sites for platelet-activating factor (PAF) with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 4.74 (+/- 2.59) nM. Each cell contained 2.79 (+/- 1.40) x 10(4) receptors. In the isolated membranes at pH 7.0 in 10 mM MgCl2, 10 mM Tris and 0.25% bovine serum albumin, the KD value was 0.61 (+/- 0.1) nM, which is roughly identical to the KD values reported previously for various membrane systems under identical ionic conditions. The receptors were highly specific for PAF. Several receptor antagonists that are reported to inhibit the binding of [3H]PAF and the PAF-induced function in platelets could fully displace the binding. The biologically inactive enantiomer (enantio-C16-PAF), a PAF analog, azido-PAF, and an indene derivative of the PAF receptor antagonist, L-651,142, had different potencies to inhibit [3H]PAF binding to rat and human PMN membranes. L-652,731, a tetrahydrofuran analog of the PAF receptor antagonist was about 10 times more potent to inhibit the binding in rat liver tissues than in rat PMNs. These results suggest that PAF receptors on human and rat PMNs are not identical and that PAF receptor subtypes may exist in rat liver and PMNs.     

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.     

Influence of plasma protein content and platelet number on the potency of PAF and its antagonist RP 59227 in rabbit platelet preparations.

1. The potency of platelet activating factor (PAF) as a pro-aggregatory agent and of RP 59227, a selective antagonist of PAF-induced platelet aggregation, was determined in several types of rabbit platelet preparations. 2. PAF produced concentration-dependent responses irrespective of whether the suspension medium for the platelets (200,000 per microliter) was undiluted plasma (PRP), saline-diluted plasma (dil. PRP) or a salt solution (WP: washed platelets). The potency of PAF, expressed as pD2, was 3 fold higher in WP than PRP or diluted PRP (dil. PRP) for which the ratio (v/v) of total plasma to saline was 1:1.5. In PRP and WP preparations, an increase in the number of platelets in the reaction medium from 200,000 to 600,000 enhanced the potency of PAF slightly (2.3 fold). Furthermore, PAF was 3 times more potent in WP than PRP when studied in preparations containing either 200,000, 400,000 or 600,000 platelets per microliter. 3. RP 59227, like the reference compounds WEB 2086 and CV-6209, behaved as a competitive antagonist against PAF-evoked platelet aggregation in PRP, WP and dil. PRP (200,000 platelets per microliter). Their potency was slightly greater (1.6 to 2.6 fold more) in dil. PRP than in WP, but in PRP it was 3.5 to 4.3 times lower than in WP. RP 59227 was 2.3 and 5.0 times less potent when the platelet number of the PRP suspension was increased from 200,000 to 400,000 and 600,000 per microliter, respectively, whereas the potency of RP 59227 in WP was not modified by these changes in platelet number.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

3H]WEB 2086 labels platelet activating factor receptors in guinea pig and human lung

The radiolabelled platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist, [3H]WEB 2086, bound to specific sites on membrane fractions from homogenised guinea pig and human lungs. The sites on guinea pig and human membranes bound [3H]WEB 2086 with dissociation constants (KD) of 16.8 and 22.6 nM and binding capacities (Bmax) of 203 and 157 fmol/mg protein, respectively. In both species, binding was displaced competitively by PAF, suggesting that the sites labelled by [3H]WEB 2086 are PAF receptors.     

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.