Effect of a platelet-activating factor antagonist, WEB 2086, on inhibition of active oxygen generation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Lexipafant inhibits postsurgical adhesion formation

BACKGROUND

PAF and its antagonists have been studied in the pathophysiology of various inflammatory conditions. This study investigates the effects of a platelet activating factor antagonist, lexipafant, on peritoneal adhesion formation and wound healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-eight Wistar albino rats (300-350 g) were divided into four equal groups; adhesion-induced lexipafant (AL), adhesion-induced saline (AS), sham-operated lexipafant (SL), and sham-operated saline (SS). All rats underwent a midline laparotomy under sterile conditions. The anterior wall of the left uterine horn was scraped to cause hemorrhages in adhesion-induced groups. Following peritoneal injections of either saline or lexipafant, the incisions were closed in layers. On the 14th day, the rats were killed and adhesions were scored from 0 (none) to 4 (dense). Tissue samples from the adhesions and the left horn of uterus were examined biochemically for hydroxyproline content, and serum IL-6 levels were determined.

RESULTS

The adhesion formation score was significantly increased in the AS group compared to the SL and AL groups (P < 0.001). The IL-6 levels of the AS group were higher than those of the other groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in hydroxyproline content between groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lexipafant plays a role in the prevention of adhesion formation without affecting wound healing.

The Effect of Lexipafant on Bacterial Translocation in Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis in Rats

Bacterial translocation (BT) from the gastrointestinal tract to mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and other extra intestinal organs is an important source of infection in acute pancreatitis (AP). Lexipafant (BB-882) is a potent platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist that has an anti-inflammatory effect. To examine whether BB-882 could affect BT in acute necrotizing pancreatitis, 48 male Sprague Dawley rats (250–350 g) were studied. AP was induced in Group I and Group II by pressure injection of 3% taurocholate and trypsin into the common biliopancreatic duct (1 mL/kg of body weight). Group I rats received BB-882 (10 mg/kg, ip qd) and Group II rats received a similar volume of normal saline as a placebo postoperatively for 2 days. Group III and Group IV received BB-882 and placebo, respectively, after an exploratory laparotomy. At 48 hours postoperatively, blood was drawn for culture, serum amylase, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α determinations. Specimens from MLNs, spleen, liver, pancreas, and cecum were harvested for culture of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria. Quantitative cecal cultures of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria were obtained. A point scoring system for five histological features that include interstitial edema, inflammatory cellular infiltration, fat necrosis, parenchymal necrosis, and hemorrhage was used to evaluate the severity of pancreatitis. There was no difference in serum amylase levels (2415 ± 127 IU/L versus 2476 ± 170 IU/L), serum TNF-α levels (7820 ± 1396 pg/mL versus 7318 ± 681 pg/mL), and the mean pancreatic histology score (5.9 ± 1.2 versus 6.5 ± 1.1) between Group I and Group II, respectively (P gt 0.05). Seven of 12 Group I rats had BT to MLNs, compared with 11 of 12 rats in Group II (P > 0.05). Five of 12 Group I rats had BT to distant sites such as pancreas, spleen, liver, and/or blood, compared with 11 of 12 rats in Group II (P < 0.05). BB-882 treatment decreases bacterial spread to distant sites, but does not reduce serum amylase levels and serum TNF-α levels or ameliorate pancreatic damage in rats with AP.