The effects of platelet activating factor (PAF) and its cell analogs 1-O-alk-1;-enyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-alkenyl-PAF) and 1-acyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-acyl-PAF) on chemotaxis of human leukocytes in vitro and their inflammatory and antiinflammatory activities in vivo were studied. Both analogs stimulated chemotaxis of human leukocytes in agarose gel. PAF and 1-alkenyl-PAF induced rat paw edema in the range of doses 0.1-10 and 10-100 micro g per paw, respectively. Paw edema induced by 1-acyl-PAF (10-100 micro g per paw) was more pronounced than that induced by PAF or 1-alkenyl-PAF. The latter also exhibited significant antiinflammatory effect by inhibiting PAF- or carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, and this effect exceeded that of dexamethasone. In these models of inflammation 1-acyl-PAF did not exhibit any antiinflammatory activity. The data suggest that PAF is not the only cell phospholipid mediating inflammation--its cell analogs, 1-acyl-PAF and 1-alkenyl-PAF, may also be involved into the inflammatory response. Possible interrelationships between cellular synthesis of 1-acyl-PAF, its formation in oxidized LDL, biological effects of lysolecithin, and penetration of LDL into the arterial wall are discussed.

The influence of acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) derivatives with platelet-activating factor (PAF) lipid analogs on PAF-induced human platelet aggregation has been studied. It was found that the ASA amide with an ethanolamine plasmalogen PAF analog (1-0-alk-1'-enyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(N-2'-acetoxybenzoyl)ethanolamine) and the ASA ester with a choline plasmalogen PAF analog (1-0-alk-1'-enyl-2-(2'-acetoxybenzoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) at concentrations of 10-7-10-6 M effectively inhibit PAF-induced aggregation of human platelets. In contrast to these compounds, the ASA amide with an alkyl PAF analog (1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(N-2'-acetoxybenzoyl)ethanolamine) did not inhibit PAF-induced platelet aggregation. As possible mechanisms of action of the studied compounds, the blockade of PAF-receptor and cyclooxygenase inhibition are proposed.

Prostaglandin (PG) El was demonstrated to stimulate the transfer of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol esters from human high density lipoproteins (HDL3) to low density lipoproteins (LDL). The enhancement effect of PGE~ on the interlipoprotein lipid transfer was seen at low PG concentrations under conditions of spontaneous exchange as well as in the presence of lipoprotein-depleted plasma, or partly purified plasma lipid exchange protein. PGE2 and PGF2~ showed no significant influence on the interlipoprotein lipid transfer. Evidence is presented suggesting that the PGEl-induced stimulation of interlipoprotein lipid exchange results in enhancement of LCAT-catalyzed cholesterol esterification in plasma. It is proposed that the effect of PGEj is due to the previously described PGEi-induced reorganization of the HDL surface [(1984) FEBS Lett. 173,291-293] and that PG-lipoprotein interaction may be a factor regulating cholesterol homeostasis.

Prostaglandin El has been shown to interact with serum high density lipoproteins (HDL) in a manner resembling the interaction of a ligand with a high affinity binding site. The presence of 10-12-10-'o M prostaglandin El induces a rearrangement of the HDL surface lipids and probably influences the biological functions of the lipoproteins. Fluorescent phospholipid probe High density lipoprotein Prostaglandin EI