Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effects of platelet activating factor on rat resistance vessels.

1. To elucidate the mechanisms of the powerful and long-lasting hypotension produced by platelet activating factor (PAF), its effects on perfusion pressure in the perfused mesenteric arterial bed of the rat were examined. 2. Infusion of PAF (10(-11) to 3 x 10(-10) M; EC50 = 4.0 x 10(-11) M; 95%CL = 1.6 x 10(-11) - 9.4 x 10(-11) M) and acetylcholine (ACh) (10(-10) to 10(-6) M; EC50 = 3.0 +/- 0.1 x 10(-9) M) produced marked concentration-dependent vasodilatations which were significantly inhibited by treatment with detergents (0.1% Triton X-100 for 30 s or 0.3% CHAPS for 90 s). 3. Pretreatment with CV-6209, a PAF antagonist, inhibited PAF- but not ACh-induced vasodilation. 4. Treatment with indomethacin (10(-6) M) had no effect on PAF- or ACh-induced vasodilatation. 5. These results demonstrate that extremely low concentrations of PAF produce vasodilatation of resistance vessels through the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). This may account for the strong hypotension produced by PAF in vivo.