Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs if combined with anti-histamine and anti-serotonin agents interfere with the bronchial and platelet effects of "platelet-activating factor" (PAF-acether)

Effect of 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, on cough responses in the conscious guinea pig

We have studied the role for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the modulation of the cough reflex by examining the effect of a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) on cough and respiratory rate in conscious guinea pigs. Animals were placed in a box and exposed to the tussive agent citric acid (0.5 M) for 10 min, 3 min after terbutaline (0.05 mg/kg i.p.) was administered to prevent bronchoconstriction. 8-OH-DPAT inhibited at low doses (0.008 and 0.016 mg/kg) but potentiated at high doses (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) the citric acid-induced number of coughs, but dose-dependently increased respiratory rate. Methysergide (0.05-5 mg/kg), a 5HT1 and 5HT2 receptor antagonist, and ketanserin (0.005 mg/kg), a 5HT2 receptor antagonist, had no effects on cough or respiratory rate. Methysergide inhibited the increased cough responses and respiratory rate induced by 8-OH-DPAT at high doses, while ketanserin was without effect. These results suggest that 8-OH-DPAT may induce both in inhibition and activation of the cough reflex, the latter involving central 5HT1-receptor activation.

Increased levels of free serotonin in plasma of symptomatic asthmatic patients

BACKGROUND

Previous research has shown that symptomatic asthmatic patients have increased levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, free serotonin, and cortisol in plasma when compared with asymptomatic patients.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the relationship between plasma levels of catecholamines, free serotonin, and cortisol and clinical status and pulmonary function in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with asthma.

METHODS

We compared clinical severity, spirometry, and neuroendocrine factors at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 in 57 symptomatic (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] < 70%) and 72 asymptomatic (FEV1 > 80%) asthmatic patients. We used multiple analyses of variance (repeated measures) to interpret the data. In addition, we used the Pearson Product Moment Test to investigate correlations among the different variables.

RESULTS

The clinical severity rating and levels of free serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and cortisol were significantly higher in symptomatic asthmatic patients than those in asymptomatic patients (P < .001, in all cases). FEV1 was significantly lower in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients. In symptomatic patients, the level of free serotonin correlated positively with the clinical severity rating (r = .564, P < .01) and negatively with FEV1 (r = -.959, P < .001). In addition, the clinical severity rating showed a negative correlation with FEV1 (r = -.359, P < .01). No significant correlations were found in asymptomatic patients.

CONCLUSION

Our finding that free serotonin was the only neuroendocrine factor closely associated with clinical severity and pulmonary function suggests that this factor plays an important role in the pathophysiology of acute asthma.

Involvement of inflammatory mediators in the airway responses to trimellitic anhydride in sensitized guinea-pigs

1. We examined the effect of various pharmacological agents on the acute bronchoconstrictor response and airway microvascular leakage in a model of guinea-pig sensitization to trimellitic anhydride (TMA) a cause of low molecular weight occupational asthma in man. 2. Guinea-pigs were given intradermal injections of 0.1 ml of 0.3% TMA in corn oil; 21-28 days later, anaesthetized guinea-pigs were challenged with TMA conjugated to guinea-pig albumin by tracheal instillation. Changes in lung resistance were measured and airway microvascular leakage was quantified by measuring the extravasation of Evans blue dye into the airway tissue. 3. Sensitized guinea-pig (n = 9 in each group) were pretreated with chlorpheniramine (2.5 mg kg-1, i.v.), WEB 2086 (10 micrograms kg-1, i.v.), BW 4AC (50 mg kg-1, i.p.), nedocromil sodium (2% aerosol for 60 s) or vehicle alone. 4. Pretreatment with chlorpheniramine inhibited both the acute bronchoconstrictor response and the increase in airway microvascular leakage. WEB 2086 and nedocromil sodium partially inhibited the bronchoconstrictor response but had no significant effect on airway microvascular leakage. BW 4AC caused a non-significant reduction of the bronchoconstrictor response and airway microvascular leakage. 5. These results indicate that both the bronchoconstrictor response and the airway microvascular response in this model of sensitization is mediated to a large extent by histamine. PAF but not 5-lipoxygenase products also partially mediates the bronchoconstrictor response but not the airway microvascular leakage. Nedocromil sodium partially inhibits the bronchoconstrictor response only.

Mechanism of airway narrowing caused by inhaled platelet-activating factor. Role of airway microvascular leakage

In order to study the mechanism of airway narrowing after inhaled platelet-activating factor (PAF) we measured concomitant changes in lung resistance (RL) and in airway microvascular leakage in anesthetized guinea pigs. RL and its recovery after hyperinflation at 5 min were measured until 6 min after PAF aerosol (0.1, 0.3, 1, and 3 mM), and in the case of 3 mM PAF also until 10 min. Microvascular leakage in trachea, main bronchi, and proximal and distal intrapulmonary airways was determined by measurement of extravasated Evans blue dye content. For comparison, the responses to inhaled histamine (3 mM) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) (3 mM), which act directly on airway smooth muscle, were also examined. Inhaled PAF increased RL dose-dependently, with a maximal response (peak RL) at 4 min after the inhalation, whereas the response to histamine or 5HT was maximal within a few seconds after the inhalation. Peak RL (cm H2O/ml/s) was significantly less after PAF (1.03 +/- 0.09) than after histamine (8.39 +/- 1.07) or 5HT (18.3 +/- 6.48), although there was no significant difference in RL after hyperinflation (recovery RL). No additional increase in RL was seen between 5 and 10 min after exposure. PAF caused a dose-dependent increase in Evans blue dye extravasation; 3 mM PAF induced significantly higher leakage than did histamine or 5HT at all airway levels at 6 min. PAF did not cause any additional extravasation of Evans blue dye at 10 min compared with that at 6 min after exposure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Body temperature modulates the effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on airways responsiveness in the rabbit

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent mediator known to cause bronchoconstriction and increase airways responsiveness. In vitro studies have shown that the effects of PAF on cell function can be very temperature-dependent. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of elevated body temperature on numbers of circulating cells and pulmonary function in anesthetized rabbits in response to PAF. PAF was given intravenously, at a dose of 1.2 micrograms/kg hour, whereas the control experiments were performed after the animals received a saline infusion. Alteration of airways function was assessed by measuring specific pulmonary conductance (SGL) and dose-response relationships to inhaled histamine, where airways responsiveness was expressed as the effective concentration causing 50% of maximal change in specific airways conductance (EC50SGL). The rabbits were studied at two body temperatures: a normal temperature (rectal temperature of 39.8 C), and a higher temperature (rectal temperature 41.2 degrees C). Changes in circulating inflammatory cells, plasma corticosterone concentrations and in hematocrit were also monitored, to examine some potential mechanisms which might explain why body temperature altered airways responsiveness. At the normal body temperature infusion of PAF caused a significant increase in airways responsiveness (p less than 0.025), while at the high body temperature, there was a significant decrease in responsiveness (p less than 0.025). However, at both body temperatures, a profound but similar thrombocytopenia and neutropenia was observed. While plasma corticosterone levels and hematocrit showed increases coincident with the infusion of PAF, this response was unchanged by altering body temperature. We conclude that increased body temperature reduces the effect of PAF on airways responsiveness apparently through a mechanism independent of PAF effects on hemoconcentration, plasma corticosterone or circulating inflammatory cells.

Pharmacological actions of Y-24180: I. A potent and specific antagonist of platelet-activating factor

The ability of Y-24180, 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-[2-(4-isobutylphenyl)ethyl]- 6,9-dimethyl-6H-thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a] [1,4]diazepine to inhibit platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced reactions was investigated. Y-24180 (0.0003-0.003 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently inhibited PAF-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs, but even at a high dose of 10 mg/kg, i.v., it was either inactive or weakly active against the bronchoconstriction induced by histamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, arachidonic acid, bradykinin, or leukotriene D4. Oral doses (0.003-0.1 mg/kg) of Y-24180 also prevented hemoconcentration due to PAF in a dose dependent manner and produced a parallel shift of the PAF dose-response curve. Y-24180 (0.0003-0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) and WEB 2086 (0.03-1 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently reversed PAF-induced hypotension in anesthetized rats. In mice, PAF-induced lethality was inhibited by Y-24180 and WEB 2086 with ED50 values of 0.022 and 1.42 mg/kg, p.o., and 0.023 and 0.12 mg/kg, i.v., respectively. This protective effect of Y-24180 given p.o. persisted for at least 6 hr. In actively sensitized mice lethal anaphylactic shock was prevented by oral doses of Y-24180 and WEB 2086 with ED50 values of 0.095 and 0.69 mg/kg, respectively. These results suggested that Y-24180 is an extremely potent and specific PAF antagonist with a good duration of action.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) and its relation to prostaglandins, leukotrienes and other aspects of arachidonate metabolism

This article summarizes some of the previously reported findings regarding a lipid mediator known as platelet-activating factor (PAF), and briefly describes its effects on cells and tissues. The effects of PAF have also been considered in relation to certain products of arachidonate metabolism released in response to PAF.

Suppression of PAF-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig by oxatomide: mechanism of action

Oxatomide potently (ED50 0.9 mg/kg orally, -2 h) attenuates the reduction of pulmonary tidal volume elicited by PAF (250 ng/kg i.v.) in anaesthetized, ventilated and propranolol-treated guinea-pigs. The increase of the pulmonary inflation pressure elicited by PAF (40 ng/kg i.v.) in such animals, ventilated at a fixed tidal volume, is also significantly reduced by the compound, but substantially higher doses (5 mg/kg i.v., -15 min) are required. The potency of oxatomide in the latter respect (50.4% reduction) is equivalent to that of ketotifen at 5 mg/kg i.v. (55% reduction). In spontaneously breathing, anaesthetized guinea-pigs, oxatomide (5 mg/kg i.p., -1 h) significantly reduces the increase in pulmonary resistance, but not the reduction in dynamic compliance, elicited by PAF (30, 60, 90 ng/kg i.v.), suggesting a pharmacological interference mainly with PAF-induced processes in the larger airways. Changes in arterial blood pressure, haemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia induced by PAF in vivo, contraction of guinea-pig lung parenchymal strips, production of superoxide anion by alveolar macrophages, aggregation and release of ATP by platelets challenged with PAF in vitro are not affected by the compound. These observations suggest that oxatomide attenuates the PAF-induced pulmonary reactions by inhibiting the release and/or the effect of allergic mediators elicited by the phospholipid rather than by a direct antagonism at the PAF receptors.

A novel anti-asthmatic quinone derivative, AA-2414 with a potent antagonistic activity against a variety of spasmogenic prostanoids

The anti-asthmatic activity of AA-2414 [(+/-)-7-(3,5,6-trimethyl-1,4-benzoquinon-2-yl)-7-phenylheptano ic acid] has been studied in vivo and in vitro. Experimental allergic asthma was inhibited by orally administered AA-2414 in a dose-dependent manner. AA-2414, 0.08-1.25 mg/kg (p.o.), inhibited the bronchconstriction in guinea pigs induced by a prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue (U-46619), leukotriene D4 (LTD4), and platelet activating factor (PAF) with a long duration of action. The compound did not inhibit histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. AA-2414 reduced the induction of pulmonary inflation caused by LTD4 aerosol inhalation. AA-2414 competitively inhibited the contractile response to U-46619 in guinea pig tracheal and parenchymal strips and dog saphenous vein strips with pA2 values of 7.69, 8.29 and 6.79, respectively. Furthermore, the contractile responses of guinea pig tracheal strip to PGD2, 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2 and PGF2 alpha were inhibited with pA2 values of 7.20, 7.79 and 5.71, respectively. These results suggest that AA-2414, a quinone derivative, is a novel, potent and orally active antagonist of a variety of spasmogenic prostanoids.

Effect of antiasthma drugs on microvascular leakage in guinea pig airways

We have studied the effect of intravenous epinephrine, albuterol, verapamil, and aminophylline on airway microvascular leakage in guinea pigs. Microvascular leakage was induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF; 50 ng/kg intravenously), which acts directly on venular endothelial cells, and measured by quantifying extravasation of Evans blue (EB) dye. Epinephrine (20 micrograms/kg) inhibited PAF-induced changes in dye leakage in larynx and main bronchi; at 80 and 160 micrograms/kg, significant inhibition was observed in all airways studied. This effect was reversed by phentolamine (2.5 mg/kg) or prazosin (100 micrograms/kg). By contrast, albuterol (20 to 320 micrograms/kg) and aminophylline (12.5 to 50 mg/kg) failed to inhibit dye leakage at any dose studied. Verapamil inhibited PAF-increased leakage in larynx, main bronchi, and intrapulmonary airways at the lowest dose tested (125 micrograms/kg), although inhibition was not dose dependent. These results suggest that the antiedema effect of epinephrine may be due to vasoconstriction rather than to a direct effect on endothelial cell contractility and that neither beta-agonists nor theophylline have an inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effect of epinephrine on airway microvascular leakage may have therapeutic implications for asthma.

Paf-induced release of spasmogens from guinea-pig lungs

1. The injection of platelet activating factor (Paf; 250 ng), leukotriene B4 (LTB4; 50 ng) and leukotriene D4 (LTD4; 10 ng) elicited contractions of strips of guinea-pig trachea, bronchus and lung parenchyma. 2. When the effluent of perfused guinea-pig lungs was superfused over strips of guinea-pig trachea, bronchus and parenchyma, the intra-arterial injection of Paf (250 ng) caused the release of spasmogen(s) which contracted all three tissues. 3. The infusion of indomethacin (10 micrograms ml-1) into the pulmonary artery and over the assay tissues inhibited the responses of the tissues to the effluent of the lungs stimulated by Paf (250 ng) and LTB4 (50 ng). However, treating only the assay tissues with indomethacin (10 micrograms ml-1) did not block the contractile responses to the effluent of the lungs stimulated with LTB4 or Paf. stimulated with Paf. 4. Pretreatment of the lungs with indomethacin (10 micrograms ml-1) or aspirin (30 micrograms ml-1) for 30 min, washing them out and suspending them over the assay tissues did not block the release of spasmogens elicited by Paf but appeared to inhibit the release of cyclo-oxygenase products. 5. The infusion of two lipoxygenase inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; 1 microgram ml-1) and L-655,240 (1 microgram ml-1), into the pulmonary artery completely blocked the release of spasmogen(s) from the perfused lungs. 6. The slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) antagonist, FPL-55712 (10 ng ml-1), did not block the responses of the tissues to the spasmogen(s) release by Paf. 7. The infusion of the Paf antagonist BN-52021 (30 micrograms ml-1) into the pulmonary artery completely abolished the release of spasmogen(s) induced by Paf. 8. These data suggest that a lipoxygenase product, possibly LTB4, could be responsible for the spasmogenic activity released by the lungs following Paf stimulation. Cyclo-oxygenase products released following Paf stimulation appear to result from the initial LTB4 generation.

Studies in the guinea-pig with ICI 185,282: a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist

The effects of ICI 185,282 (5(Z)-7-([ 2,4,5-cis]-4-O-hydroxyphenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-1, 3-dioxan-5-yl)heptenoic acid) have been studied on guinea-pig platelets and pulmonary smooth muscle in-vitro and in-vivo. When tested on guinea-pig lung parenchyma in-vitro. ICI 185,282 (1 x 10(-7) M) produced a significant shift in U-46619 response curves (concentration ratio of 13:3); the antagonist (1 x 10(-5) M) did not modify histamine responses. When tested on guinea-pig trachea in-vitro ICI 185,282 (1 x 10(-7) M) caused significant inhibition of U-46619 and PGD2 responses (concentration ratios of 8.3 and 14.1, respectively); the antagonist (1 x 10(-5) M proved less effective against contractions of PGF2 alpha, LTD4 and histamine (concentration ratios of 7.0, 1.5 and 1.6). When added to guinea-pig platelet rich plasma in-vitro, ICI 185,282 (x 10(-6), 1 x 10(-5) M) caused concentration-dependent parallel shifts to the right of U-46619 aggregation curves, yielding concentration ratios of 13.6 and 141.9, respectively. In-vitro, addition of ICI 185,282 (x 10(-5) M) to indomethacin-treated pulmonary smooth muscle did not modify resting tone, neither did it induce aggregation or swelling in platelet-rich plasma preparations. When administered orally to guinea-pigs ICI 185,282 (0.1, 0.5 mg kg-1) caused a significant inhibition of U-46619-induced platelet aggregation ex-vivo which persisted greater than or equal to 8 h. In-vivo, a single oral dose of ICI 185,282 (1 mg kg-1) inhibited bronchospasm induced by U-46619, PGD2, PGF2 alpha, arachidonic acid, LTD4 and PAF; responses to histamine were unaffected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological modulation of platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced bronchoconstriction and hypertension in anaesthetized guinea-pigs

The effect of PAF has been examined in anaesthetized guinea-pigs. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of PAF (10 ng kg-1) did not modify the respiratory response but decreased the arterial blood pressure. A high dose of PAF (200 ng kg-1) caused marked bronchoconstriction and concomitant hypertension. The cyclooxygenase inhibitors aspirin (5 mg kg-1) and indomethacin (5 mg kg-1) and the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonist BM-13.177 (1 mg kg-1) failed to inhibit the peak bronchoconstrictive response but significantly inhibited the prolonged response following peak response. These inhibitors also attenuated PAF-induced hypertension. On the other hand, the lipoxygenase inhibitors phenidone (10 mg kg-1) and NDGA (5 mg kg-1) and the leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonist FPL-55712 (2 mg kg-1) affected neither bronchoconstriction nor hypertension induced by PAF. However, when aspirin was given in combination with NDGA, phenidone or FPL-55712, the peak and the following prolonged bronchoconstriction were significantly inhibited. The suppression of PAF-induced hypertension by aspirin was not further inhibited by the combination of these inhibitors. These results indicate that in anaesthetized guinea-pigs PAF-induced bronchoconstriction is composed of a dual response, a direct action (peak response) and an indirect action (prolonged response). The latter may be produced by the generation of TXA2 and lipoxygenase products, while PAF-induced hypertension is indirectly mediated by the generation of TXA2.

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.

Pharmacological modulation of PAF-acether-induced pleurisy in rats

Injection of platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) into the pleural cavity of rats induced the accumulation of a moderately intense exudate within 30 to 60 minutes. By comparison with animals given injections of the vehicle alone, the animals given this mediator had elevated levels of leukotriene C4-immunoreactive material (LTC4 im) in the exudate and decreased quantities of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and of 6-Keto-F1 alpha-prostaglandin (6-Keto PGF1 alpha). Nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem reduced the pleural exudate with no major effect on the mediators. Both salbutamol and theophylline reduced the exudate and the levels of LTC4 im. Acetylsalicylic acid, phenylbutazone and indomethacin significantly inhibited the exudate, greatly lowered the quantities of cyclooxygenase derivatives and tended to increase LTC4 im. Phenidone, which inhibits the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, decreased the exudate and the three mediators. The phospholipase A2 inhibitor, chloroquine, decreased both the amount of exudate and moderately the concentration of LTC4 im. The glucocorticoids studied had no effect on the exudate or on the mediators. These results suggest that the role of the increased LTC4 im in the induction of the pleurisy is not clear.

Airway responses to platelet-activating factor

Platelet-activating factor is a potent mediator, with numerous biologic activities. It is capable of inducing both acute bronchoconstrictor responses in the lung in addition to increasing airway responsiveness to non-specific factors. It is this latter property that is especially intriguing since no other mediator of immediate hypersensitivity has been demonstrated to have such striking properties. The recent demonstration of induction of persistent (as long as 2 wk) airway hyperresponsiveness in humans after aerosolized PAF is an exciting development in our understanding of potential mediators of this entity. Much remains to be defined regarding the role of PAF in bronchial asthma including the cellular source of its production, the dependence of its effect upon other cell types such as platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the secondary mediator or mediators released from recruited cells, which are involved in producing the final pathophysiologic picture, and the mechanism by which altered airway responsiveness occurs.

LG 30435, a new bronchodilator/antiallergic agent, inhibits PAF-acether induced platelet aggregation and bronchoconstriction

LG 30435 is a quaternary phenothiazinic antihistamine, endowed with bronchodilator and antiallergic activity. Since PAF-acether (PAF) is a potential mediator of asthma, LG 30435 was assayed for its ability to counteract PAF-induced platelet aggregation (PA) in rabbit platelet rich plasma and bronchoconstriction (BC) in anaesthetized guinea-pigs, in comparison with other antihistamines. LG 30435 was the most potent and selective inhibitor of PAF-induced PA (IC50: 66 microM), concentrations three and more than fifteen fold higher being needed to inhibit PA induced by collagen and arachidonic acid respectively. The other antihistamines, namely mepyramine, promethazine, mequitazine, thiazinamium methyl sulfate and ketotifen were less potent inhibitors of PAF-induced PA, while interfered at lower concentrations with collagen-induced PA. LG 30435 and thiazinamium, administered intravenously, inhibited dose-dependently PAF-induced BC, starting from the dose of 0.1 mumol/kg. The ED50 of LG 30435 was 0.28 mumol/kg, while the inhibition obtained with thiazinamium did not reach 50% even at 3 mumol/kg. Ketotifen and promethazine were partially active only at 3 mumol/kg, while mequitazine and mepyramine were inactive up to this dose. These results show that LG 30435 is endowed with a peculiar anti-PAF action, which may be advantageous in the treatment of asthma.

Characterization of platelet activating factor (PAF)-acether-induced contractions of guinea-pig lung strips by selected inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism and by PAF-acether antagonists

The myotropic activities of PAF-acether, leukotriene B4, leukotriene D4 and histamine were compared on superfused guinea-pig lung parenchymal strip and were shown to have the following order of potency: PAF-acether greater than LTD4 greater than LTB4 greater than histamine. The contractile response of the lung parenchyma to PAF-acether was inhibited by aspirin, imidazole and OKY-046, which suggested that thromboxane A2 might play a mediator role in PAF-induced contractions. Neither an antagonist of leukotriene D4, FPL-55712, nor an antihistamine, mepyramine, had any effect on PAF contractions. The activity of a novel antagonist of PAF-acether, BN 52021, was also studied on superfused lung parenchyma contracted by histamine, leukotriene B4, leukotriene D4 and PAF-acether. This compound was without effect on the histamine response but it slightly reduced the contractions elicited by leukotriene D4 and potentiated those by leukotriene B4. BN 52021 (7.1 X 10(-6) M) inhibited by 63% the contraction induced by 5.7 X 10(-13) M PAF-acether and by 52% that induced by 5.7 X 10(-10) M PAF-acether and kadsurenone (8.4 X 10(-6) M), another PAF-acether antagonist, inhibited the same PAF-induced contractions by 75% and 20% respectively.

Lung mechanics of the guinea-pig isolated perfused lung

In the isolated perfused guinea-pig lung, lung resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance (CDYN) as well as flow, pH, PO2 and PCO2 of the perfusate were recorded. The baseline values were stable up to 2.5 h. Mean values (+/- SEM) for RL and CDYN were 0.36 cm H2O ml-1 s-1 +/- 0.04 and 0.27 ml cm-1 H2O +/- 0.02, respectively, which agree with in vivo values reported for unanaesthetized guinea-pigs. The pH was always slightly raised and the PCO2 always lowered in the effluent compared to the inflowing medium (P less than 0.001), indicating that the lung had an operative ventilation. Intravascularly administered acetylcholine, histamine and adenosine caused reproducible dose-dependent bronchoconstrictions recorded as increased RL and decreased CDYN. It is noteworthy that adenosine in this model and in vivo consistently produced bronchoconstriction which is in contrast to findings in other in vitro airway preparations. We conclude that this isolated perfused guinea-pig lung preparation has stable in vivo-like characteristics offering interesting possibilities for combining studies of respiratory effects with, for example, metabolism, pharmacokinetic and vascular reactivity studies.

Interference of BN 52021 (ginkgolide B) with the bronchopulmonary effects of PAF-acether in the guinea-pig

The interaction between the ginkgolide BN 52021 and the effects of PAF-acether on the bronchopulmonary system of the guinea-pig was studied. In pentobarbitone or ethyl carbamate-anaesthetized animals, BN 52021 (1 mg/kg i.v. or 10 mg/kg p.o.) inhibited bronchoconstriction, the hematocrit increase and the accompanying thrombopenia and leukopenia induced by PAF-acether (33-100 ng/kg) and failed to block the bronchoconstriction produced by collagen, arachidonic acid and the tripeptide formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP). BN 52021, 3 mg/kg, reduced the bronchoconstriction induced by aerosolized PAF-acether. BN 52021, 300 microM, also inhibited the superoxide production by PAF-acether-stimulated alveolar macrophages and failed to reduce the same effects when triggered by FMLP (0.01-1 microM). BN 52021 blocked the formation of thromboxane-triggered by PAF-acether (100 ng) injected into perfused lung, under conditions where the effects of arachidonic acid where not modified. Finally, pretreatment of parenchyma lung strips with BN 52021 (100 microM) partially inhibited the contraction induced by PAF-acether (0.1 microM) and suppressed the accompanying release of thromboxane. BN 52021 is a selective antagonist of the effects of PAF-acether on the bronchopulmonary system and on circulating blood cells of the guinea-pig.

Pharmacological control of the in vivo passive anaphylactic shock by the PAF-acether antagonist compound BN 52021

BN 52021 antagonized PAF-acether-induced bronchoconstriction (BC) in the guinea-pig and inhibited BC triggered by antigen in passively sensitized animals. The anti-anaphylactic activity was prevented by propranolol and may either result from an additional property of the drug, independent from PAF antagonism or from different PAF-dependent mechanisms with different responsiveness to the various antagonists.

Pharmacological modulation of the respiratory and haematological changes accompanying active anaphylaxis in the guinea-pig

The intrathoracic accumulation of radiolabelled platelets was recorded in anaesthesized, sensitized guinea-pigs concomitantly with changes in airways resistance during active anaphylaxis. Antigen challenge induced an increased airway resistance associated with intrathoracic platelet accumulation, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Bronchoconstriction, but not the haematological changes, was modified by a combination of mepyramine, methysergide and aspirin. The addition of FPL 55712 and PGI2 to this cocktail of drugs additionally inhibited the thrombocytopenia and leukopenia but not the intrathoracic accumulation of platelets induced by antigen challenge. PGI2 was alone able to significantly inhibit the intrathoracic platelet accumulation, but not the bronchoconstriction induced by antigen challenge. These results suggest that active anaphylaxis is associated with activation of blood elements and subsequent pulmonary entrapment of platelets but that the platelet release reaction rather than the embolisation of platelet aggregates is the critical step in the induction of allergic bronchoconstriction in the guinea-pig.

Platelet-activating factor and the release of a platelet-derived coronary artery vasodilator substance in the canine

Platelet-activating factor (acetyl-glyceryl-ether-phosphorylcholine; 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine), which is released by stimulated neutrophils and platelets, possesses the ability to alter vascular tone and permeability and to activate various formed blood elements. We have characterized the hemodynamic effects of intracoronary injections of platelet-activating factor and the influences of pharmacological blockade and platelet depletion on its activity. Intracoronary injections of platelet-activating factor produced maximum increases in left circumflex coronary artery blood flow of 55 +/- 8, 52 +/- 8, and 52 +/- 7 ml/min at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 nM, respectively. Only modest changes in systemic arterial blood pressure and regional developed isometric contractile force were associated with the intracoronary artery administration of platelet-activating factor over the range of doses studied. The increase in left circumflex coronary artery blood flow in response to platelet-activating factor was attenuated (44%), but not prevented, by pretreatment with diphenhydramine, (4 mg/kg, iv), and was not affected by pretreatment with aspirin (20 mg/kg, iv) or the systemic administration of the serotonin receptor antagonist, methysergide. The coronary vasodilator response to platelet-activating factor was reduced significantly by the induction of thrombocytopenia (95 +/- 3% platelet depletion) through the administration of sheep-derived canine platelet antiserum. The intracoronary artery injection of platelet-rich plasma activated with platelet-activating factor into thrombocytopenic dogs produced a significantly greater increase in coronary artery blood flow than the injection of either non-activated platelet-rich plasma or platelet-depleted plasma to which platelet-activating factor was added. Similar changes in coronary artery blood flow could be obtained with the intracoronary artery injection of cell-free supernates from washed platelets activated with platelet-activating factor. The observed results suggest that circulating platelets, when exposed to platelet-activating factor, can release a coronary dilator substance, and that the coronary artery dilation is not prevented by pharmacological receptor antagonists for histamine, serotonin, or inhibitors of cyclooxygenase.

Pharmacological investigation of the mechanisms of platelet-activating factor induced mortality in the mouse

Although the platelets of the mouse are refractory to the direct effects of platelet-activating-factor (PAF), tail vein injection of 10-150 micrograms/kg PAF produces lethal anaphylactic shock. Sensitivity varies with strain and source: Swiss Webster mice show a range of sensitivity and DBA/2 (complement C5-deficient) mice are very resistant. At lethal doses of PAF, animals show labored respiration and general depression; death occurs within 15-45 min. Dexamethasone administered at least 1.5 hr prior consistently protects, whereas the cyclooxygenase inhibitors do not. Antihistamines, adrenergic antagonists, and methysergide have no effect, but cyproheptadine is partially protective at near lethal doses. Calcium entry blockers and calcium chelators, tetracycline and chlortetracycline are partially protective at very high doses consistent with non-specific effects on calcium dependent processes. The arachidonic acid lipoxygenase inhibitors BW755c, phenidone, nordihydroguaiaretic acid and diphenyldisulfide provide nearly complete protection after oral administration of 50-200 mg/kg. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors and dapsone are also effective orally. The leukotriene antagonist FPL55712 administered intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg) 5 min. prior to PAF challenge provides almost complete protection. PAF-induced mortality in the mouse represents a small animal model of systemic anaphylaxis particularly useful for the systemic testing of arachidonic acid lipoxygenase inhibitors and leukotriene antagonists.

The effects of antiallergic and bronchodilator drugs on platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) induced bronchospasm and platelet aggregation

Platelet activating factor (PAF-acether) is a potential mediator of asthma and inflammation. Recently, the suggestion was made that inhibition of PAF-acether by disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) might be partly responsible for the effectiveness of DSCG in asthma. We have extended these studies and examined the effects of antiallergic and bronchodilator drugs on PAF-acether induced bronchospasm after i.v. administration in guinea pigs and in vitro platelet aggregation in rabbits. Neither DSCG nor Wy-41,195, a potent orally effective antiallergic, altered either of the PAF-acether responses. Furthermore, aerosolized ipratropium, promethazine, ketotifen and FPL 55712 failed to affect the PAF-acether-induced bronchospasm. The same drugs were also ineffective against platelet aggregation induced by PAF-acether. In contrast, aerosolized thiazinamium chloride inhibited the bronchospasm and also inhibited PAF-acether-induced platelet aggregation. Thiazinamium chloride possessed weak antiaggregatory effects against ADP and was without effect against arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. Both lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism appear to be involved in PAF-acether bronchospasm since i.v. administered lipoxygenase inhibitors (phenidone, BW755c and NDGA) and indomethacin independently inhibited this in vivo response. However, these drugs failed to alter platelet aggregation to PAF-acether. Thiazinamium chloride may be capable of directly antagonizing the PAF-acether-induced platelet aggregatory response and, in addition, inhibiting the synthesis and/or effects of bronchoconstrictor amines and endogenously generated arachidonic acid metabolites.

The platelet-independent release of thromboxane A2 by Paf-acether from guinea-pig lungs involves mechanisms distinct from those for leukotriene

Intra-arterial injections of platelet-activating factor (Paf-acether, 10-300 ng) to the perfused guinea-pig lung induced a dose-related bronchoconstriction, followed by contraction of the rat aorta superfused with the lung effluent, indicating the release of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) activity. These effects were matched with injections of bradykinin (Bk) at 100-1000 ng, leukotriene C4(LTC4) at 10-300 ng or arachidonic acid (AA) at 30-300 micrograms. Repeated doses of Paf-acether led to a specific desensitization of the release of TXA2, under conditions where Bk, LTC4 and arachidonic acid retained their ability to release TXA2. Bronchoconstriction and the release of TXA2 induced by Paf-acether were suppressed when the lungs were perfused with acetylsalicylic acid, but not with salicylic acid. The phospholipase A2 inhibitor, p-bromophenacyl bromide suppressed the release of TXA2 by Bk, but did not interfere with its formation from AA, nor with its release with Paf-acether and LTC4. The lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, inhibited to a similar extent the release of TXA2 by Bk, LTC4 and Paf-acether but also reduced directly the formation of TXA2 from arachidonic acid, invalidating its use as a specific antilipoxygenase agent. The leukotriene C4/D4 antagonist, FPL 55712, suppressed the TXA2 releasing effects of LTC4, and was completely inactive against Paf-acether, Bk or arachidonic acid. The aerosol of Paf-acether was tested in the anaesthetized guinea-pig and resulted in bronchoconstriction, unaccompanied by thrombocytopenia. Unlike bronchoconstriction induced by intravenous Paf-acether, which is refractory to cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors, the effects of the aerosol were suppressed by aspirin. Platelet depletion, which blocks the intravenous effects of Paf-acether, failed to interfere with those of the aerosol. Paf-acether induced a marked contraction of the superfused guinea-pig isolated parenchyma lung strip, which was followed by total and irreversible desensitization to itself. The contractile effect was not inhibited by aspirin or indomethacin, atropine, mepyramine, methysergide, phenoxybenzamine or propranolol, indicating that cyclo-oxygenase products, cholinergic stimuli, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and catecholamine mechanisms are not involved. Our results indicate that Paf-acether interacts with pulmonary sites distinct from those for Bk, LTC4 or AA, since no cross-desensitization between Paf-acether and the other agonists was noted, p-bromophenacyl bromide inhibited Bk only and FPL 55712 inhibited only LTC4. The phospholipase A2 involved with the release of the arachidonate needed for the formation of TXA2 by Paf-acether or LTC4-stimulated lungs may differ from the enzyme accounting for its formation by Bk. The cellular sites with which Paf-acether interacts may also be distinct and less readily accessible to p-bromophenacyl bromide.

Effects of nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs on the specific binding of platelet activating factor to membrane preparations of rabbit platelets

The inhibitory effects of several antiinflammatory agents on the specific binding of tritiated 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine, (platelet activating factor, PAF), with its receptor on isolated rabbit platelet plasma membranes were investigated. Several potent cyclooxygenase inhibitors do not inhibit 3H-PAF binding to its receptor sites. Yet, three others, indomethacin, phenylbutazone and sulfinpyrazone, as well as three non-cyclooxygenase inhibitors, the 3',4'-dimethoxy analog of indomethacin, the prodrug sulindac and its sulfone metabolite, are moderately active at relatively high concentrations (50 - 100 microM). Parallel inhibitions of 3H-PAF binding and PAF-induced platelet aggregation by derivatives of these antiinflammatory agents suggest that these inhibitors are probably interacting with the functional binding sites of PAF. The results clearly indicate that the configuration of PAF binding site is very different from the inhibitory site of cyclooxygenase. A preference for oxygenated substituents in these hydrophobic molecules to inhibit the PAF-receptor binding is noted. Some binding characteristics of the receptor are briefly discussed.