A LETHAL ROLE OF PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR IN ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK IN MICE

  • 1 October 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 243  (1) , 378-383
Abstract
The lethal role of platelet activating factor (PAF) in anaphylactic shock was examined in mice, using the specific PAF antagonist, CV-3988. CV-3988 (0.3-3 mg/kg i.v.), given 5 min before PAF, protected mice from death (ED50, 0.9 mg/kg). CV-3988 (3 mg/kg i.v.), given 1 min after PAF was injected, was also effective, but not so effective when given 5 min later. Dexamethasone (2 mg/kg i.v. 3 hr before the PAF-injection), naloxone (1 and 10 mg/kg i.v. 5 min before), FPL-55712 (10 mg/kg i.v. 5 min before) and BW-755c (300 mg/kg p.o. 1 hr before) also improved the survival rate, but aspirin (100 mg/kg p.o. 1 hr before) did not. In anaphylactic shock, CV-3988 (0.3-3 mg/kg i.v.), given 5 min before and 5 min after rechallenge with antigen protected the sensitized mice from death (ED50, 1.2 and 0.48 mg/kg, respectively). Dexamethasone and naloxone protected mice from anaphylactic shock, but BW-755c and FPL-55712 had no protective effects. In contrast to CV-3988, dexamethasone and naloxone were ineffective when given 5 min after the rechallenge. Congestion of the lung, kidney and heart and infiltration of neutrophils in the lung were marked in mice with PAF-induced and anaphylactic shock. The related histology showed an improvement with CV-3988. These results strongly suggest that PAF may play a lethal role in anaphylactic shock and that CV-3988 may be an effective preventing agent.