A relaxing factor released by phospholipase A2 in the absence of endothelium.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) produced slow dose dependent relaxation in intact and endothelium-deprived precontracted rabbit aortic strips. In endothelium-deprived preparations, relaxation induced by PLA2 is inhibited by hemoglobin, methylene blue and parabromophenacylbromide (PBPB), and is potentiated by superoxide dismutase (SOD). Indomethacin has no effect. Relaxation is accompanied by a rise in c-GMP. Phospholipase C causes a significant increase in tension, while Phospholipase D has no effects. In intact aortic strips PLA2 causes a biphasic response with no elevation in c-GMP. The results indicate several common features of the PLA2 released factor with endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). However, PLA2 induced relaxation is not dependent on endothelial cells. Apparently in addition to nitric oxide which may be the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, a second smooth muscle relaxing factor exists which is initiated by PLA2 and is independent of endothelium. The production of the PLA2 produced relaxation is dependent on its specific hydrolytic activity. We call this relaxing factor the phospholipid-derived relaxing factor (PDRF).