Myoelectric intestinal disturbances in Escherichia coli endotoxic shock in rats. Involvement of platelet-activating factor.

Administration of BN 52021 (50 mg/kg i.v.), a specific antagonist of platelet-activating factor (PAF), significantly reduced the intestinal myoelectric disturbances induced by E. coli endotoxin injection (50 micrograms/kg i.v.) by 62%. Thus, PAF may be involved in the intestinal motor alterations observed in endotoxic shock. When given in combination with indomethacin (10 mg/kg i.p.), BN 52021 inhibited endotoxic shock intestinal disturbances. Indomethacin alone also reduced PAF induced (25 micrograms/kg i.p.) disruption of migrating myoelectric complexes. Endotoxins may act on intestinal motility via release of endogenous PAF and prostaglandins, the effects of PAF being mediated through the release of prostaglandins.