An investigation into the possible involvement of platelet activating factor in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in rats.

Rats developing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis have been treated with intra-venous injections of Platelet-Activating Factor on days 5, 6 and 7 post adjuvant injection. Other rats have been treated with one of two different PAF antagonists or vehicle. The animals injected with PAF on day 5 post adjuvant developed a more severe form of the disease at an earlier time point than did control animals. Animals treated with the PAF antagonists did not develop the disease to any great extent. Treatment with the vehicle had no effect compared to control. These results implicate PAF in the aetiology of this model of multiple sclerosis and may suggest a role for PAF antagonists in the treatment of this disease.