Mucosal dysfunction and damage induced by platelet activating factor (PAF).

The effect of PAF on human nasal mucosa was investigated in vitro. Normal paranasal sinus mucosa was obtained from the ethmoid sinuses by surgical procedure and incubated in the form of tissue culture. Ciliary movement was viewed under an inverted microscope and recorded on video tapes, and its activity was measured photoelectrically. Morphological alterations were examined by light and electron microscopy. PAF inhibited ciliary activity of human nasal mucosa, in a time and a dose dependent manner, at concentrations from 10(-6)M to 10(-10)M, while no significant change was observed at 10(-11) M. Lyso-PAF exhibited minimal effect on the mucosa at a concentration of 10(-6) M. Morphological alterations of the epithelial layer of the mucosa such as edema, cell exfoliation and desquamation were found to increase across time. Ultrastructural alterations were observed prior to inhibition of ciliary activity. These data indicate the cytotoxic effect of PAF on human paranasal sinus mucosa.