Inhibition of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, but not acute hypoxia nor airway eosinophilia, by an antagonist of platelet-activating factor.

The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in Ag-induced airway hyperresponsiveness was evaluated in a guinea pig model using the PAF antagonist SDZ 64-412. Repeated OVA challenge by aerosol (twice weekly x 4 wk) of previously sensitized guinea pigs produced striking airway hyperresponsiveness as determined by pulmonary resistance changes to increasing doses of inhaled acetylcholine given 3 days after the last OVA challenge. Each OVA challenge produced significant hypoxia that was unaffected by oral pretreatment with 20 mg/kg SDZ 64-412, 2 h before each challenge (pO2 = 35 +/- 2 mm Hg for OVA alone vs 40 +/- 6 mm Hg for SDZ and OVA groups, respectively). SDZ 64-412 pretreatment abolished the airway hyperresponsiveness resulting from repeated Ag challenge. Morphometric analysis revealed that SDZ 64-412 treatment had no effect on the increased numbers of eosinophils that infiltrated the airways of OVA-challenged guinea pigs. These results suggest that PAF may be a primary mediator of airway hyperresponsiveness, but not acute bronchoconstriction, induced by repeated Ag challenge. This activity of PAF appears independent of eosinophil recruitment to airways.