Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has recently been described as a mediator of inflammatory processes. In this study, we quantitated the dose-response effects of topically applied PAF on microvascular permselectivity and investigated the biochemical pathways of this compound. Permselectivity alterations were assessed by measuring the clearance of macromolecules with fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 150 (FITC-dx 150) as a tracer. The microvascular bed of the hamster cheek pouch served as a model. PAF was found to induce leakage of macromolecules from postcapillary venules. Control FITC-dx 150 plasma clearance (+/- SEM) was 72 +/- 10 nl/90 min. Clearances of 61 +/- 10 474 +/- 145, 622 +/- 57, 301 +/- 86, and 142 +/- 3 nl/90 min were obtained at PAF concentrations of 10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6), and 10(-5) M, respectively. A one-way analysis of variance showed that the population means were not equal. Multiple comparison by the Student-Newman-Keuls test demonstrated that the clearances obtained with 10(-8), 10(-7), and 10(-6) M were significantly greater than controls. Significant differences existed between 10(-7) M PAF and 10(-9), 10(-6), and 10(-5) M PAF. In an effort to elucidate the biochemical pathways of PAF activity, several inhibitors of the arachidonic acid cascade and receptor blockers were used. Dexamethasone and kadsurenone attenuated the clearance response to PAF in a statistically significant manner, while indomethacin, OKY-046, and chlorpheniramine were without effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been implicated as a potential mediator of inflammatory processes. In this study, we quantified the effects of PAF on vessel diameter in a microvascular bed and investigated the biochemical pathways of this compound. The hamster cheek pouch microcirculation was observed with intravital microscopy. Experiments were video-recorded and analyzed with an image shearing device. Vasoconstriction was the predominant vasomotor response to PAF. PAF (10~'°-10~* M) was applied topically to the pouch for 3 minutes. Arterioles ranging in size from 8 to 15 (xm were the most sensitive, and they constricted completely in response to PAF 10 7 and 10"' M. Arterioles 21-40 |xm in diameter constricted to 12-17% of control after PAF at 10~7 and 10" 3 M, respectively; they reopened to about 70% of their control value after a few minutes and remained near that size throughout the experiment.

The hamster cheek pouch microcirculation was used to investigate the effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on leukocyte adhesion to microvascular walls by means of intravital microscopy. PAF was applied topically at concentrations ranging from 10(-11) to 10(-5) M. An inverse relationship between PAF concentration and number of adhering white cells per 100-microns length was found in venules ranging in diameter from 10 to 60 microns (grouped into 10-microns intervals). Importantly, the PAF-induced adhesion of leukocytes lasted for the 3-h experimental period. We postulate that induction of leukocyte adhesion to venular endothelium is an important role of PAF in inflammatory processes.

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The cheek pouch was prepared as a single layer and attached to a two-piece Lucite chamber that was filled with bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.35, equilibrated with 95% N2-5% CO2). Two microcirculatory areas were circumscribed in the cheek pouch by equilateral triangular chambers. Each chamber was made of 90-microns thick Mylar sheet (2 mm wide, 18 mm long). A cover slip was used as the chamber top. Ischemia was induced by applying pressure to the cover slip. The experimental area was reperfused after 1 h of ischemia by releasing the pressure. The other area served as control. One hour of reperfusion after 1 h of ischemia caused a significant increase in the number of leukocytes adhering to postcapillary venules (PCVs) per 100 microns vessel length in the ischemic area relative to the values in the control area (7.8 +/- 2.5 vs. 3.7 +/- 1.3, respectively, for PCVs 10-19.9 microns diam; and 10.9 +/- 2.8 vs. 6.2 +/- 1.8 for PCVs 20-29.9 microns diam; P less than 0.01 for both comparisons). The results demonstrate the adequacy of the model to investigate leukocyte adhesion to endothelium in ischemia-reperfusion. Because blood flow is maintained in most of the pouch, our model should also be useful for identifying possible interactions between ischemic and nonischemic areas in the microcirculation.