Platelet activating factor pharmacology

Capasso, R, A.A. Izzo, N. Mascolo, G. Autore, and G. Di Carlo. 1993. Effect of senna is not mediated by platelet-activating factor. Pharmacology 47(Suppl. l) 58-63. 

Campbell, W.B. and Halushka, P. V., Lipid-derived autacoids eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor, in Goodman and Gilman s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed., Hardman, J.G. and Limbird, L.E., Eds., McGraw-Hill,... 

Antagonists of Platelet-Activating Factor Chemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical Applications... 

Chapter 7 outlines the basic mechanism and treatment of emesis, and in particular, that induced by chemotherapy of cancer. Finally, the chemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications of antagonists of the platelet-activating factor (PAF), an important mediator of many physiological and pathological conditions, are reviewed in Chapter 8. 

Since predators of snakes (and humans) have to deal with snake venoms as defenses, they are included here, even though they serve in predation. Snake venoms are primarily enzymes (proteins), especially of the phospholipase A2 type, which breaks down cell membrane phospholipids hydrolytically. Other snake venoms such as cobrotoxin contain peptides with 60-70 amino acid residues. Pharmacologically, they have neurotoxic, cytotoxic, anticoagulant, and other effects. The neurotoxins, in turn, can have pre- or postsynaptic effects. Snake venoms with both neurotoxic and hemolytic effects on the heart are known as cardiotoxins. Cytotoxins attach to the cells of blood vessels and cause hemorrhage. Snake venom factors may stimulate or inhibit blood clotting. Finally, platelet-active factors can contribute to hemorrhage. 

Braquet, P. The ginkgolides potent platelet-activating factor antagonists isolated from Ginkgo biloba L. chemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications. Drugs Future, 1987, 12 643-699. 

Mills P C, Ng J C, Seawright A A et al 1995 Kinetics, dose response, tachyphylaxis and cross-tachyphylaxis of vascular leakage induced by endotoxin, zymosan-activated plasma and platelet-activating factor in the horse. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 18 204-209... 

The PMN cells include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophils make up 60-75% of circulating WBCs and provide the first line of defense against microbes that penetrate the normal barriers of skin. They are extremely efficient phagocytes and are a source of inflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators such as PGs, LTs, and platelet-activating factor. Eosinophils are involved in allergy and provide protection against parasites. Basophils contain vasoactive amines such as histamine, serotonin, and heparin, as well as precursors for PGs and LTs. Release of these pharmacological materials by the basophils is responsible for the anaphylactic reaction. These factors also serve as chemoattractants for neutrophils and eosinophils to sites of inflammation. 

Morrow, J.D. and Roberts, L.J. (2001) Lipid derived autocoids. Eicosanoids and platelet activating factor, in Goodman and Gillman s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Eds. J.G. Hardman and L.E. Limbird, pp. 669-685. New York McGraw-Hill. 

Chen, J.K., and T.T. Chen. 2004. Chinese medical herbology and pharmacology. City of Industry, CA Art of Medicine Press. Iwakami, S., J.B. Wu, Y. Ebizuka, and U. Sankawa. 1992. Platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists contained in medicinal plants Lignans and sesquiterpenes. Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 40(5) 1196-1198. 

Klein, A., Pinho, V., Alessandrini, A. L., Shimizu, T., Ishii, S., Teixeira, M. M. (2002). Platelet-activating factor drives eotaxin production in an allergic pleurisy in mice. British Journal of Pharmacology, 135 S), 1213-1218. 

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