Increased levels of platelet-activating factor in blood from patients with cirrhosis of the liver

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation Vol. 17; no. 1; p. 7
• Main Authors: Caramelo, C, Fernández-Gallardo, S, Santos, J C, Iñarrea, P, Sánchez-Crespo, M, López-Novoa, J M, Hernando, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-1987
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Animals; Ascitic Fluid - metabolism; Blood Platelets - drug effects; Blood Platelets - metabolism; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases - metabolism; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Female; Humans; Hypotension - chemically induced; Liver Cirrhosis - metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Phospholipases A - pharmacology; Platelet Activating Factor - metabolism; Rabbits; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Serotonin - metabolism; Type C Phospholipases - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0014-2972
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1987.tb01218.x

The levels of platelet-activating factor (paf-acether) were measured in blood and ascitic fluid from cirrhotic patients and in blood from a group of controls, using a recently described technique for extraction and measurement. In addition, activity of acetylhydrolase, the main catabolic enzyme for paf-acether, was also measured. The highest levels of paf-acether in blood were found in decompensated cirrhotics (1.78 +/- 0.62 ng ml-1; mean +/- SD, n = 8). Compensated cirrhotics showed lower blood values (0.79 +/- 0.21, n = 4), but higher than controls (0.20 +/- 0.04, n = 12). Paf-acether levels in ascitic fluid were similar to those of blood. Values of acetylhydrolase in serum were similar in all the groups studied (3.0 +/- 0.4 in cirrhotics vs. 2.3 +/- 0.4 nmol min-1 mg-1 of protein in controls). These data suggest an enhanced production of paf-acether in cirrhotic patients rather than a decreased catabolism. High levels of paf-acether in blood could be involved in the impaired haemodynamics of cirrhotic patients and in their renal function alterations.