[Effect of long-term administration of platelet activating factor on pulmonary response and morphology in the guinea pig].

The possible role of PAF in the development of bronchial hyperreactivity was investigated using Alzet osmotic minipumps loaded with PAF or solvent alone and implanted in male Hartley guinea-pigs. Compared to animals treated with solvent alone, those receiving PAF (20 micrograms/kg/h for 15 days) exhibited a hyperreactivity to histamine. The lungs from PAF-treated were congestive in appearance, bronchi and the bronchioli were contracted, Reisseissen muscles were markedly hypertrophied and a muciparous metaplasia of the epithelium was observed. In addition, the number of eosinophils was significantly increased in the parenchyma, as was the number of mast cells in the peribronchial regions. These data indicate that long term-treatment with PAF induces profound alterations in the respiratory system resembling those observed in asthmatic patients. They also strengthen the also strengthen the role of PAF in the development of bronchial hyperreactivity.