title: Platelet-activating factor in bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with sarcoidosis.
abstract: Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a lipid mediator of inflammation and anaphylaxis, may play a role in several physiopathologic alterations of the lung. A lipid compound with physicochemical and biologic characteristics similar to synthetic PAF was extracted and purified from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of 15 of 34 patients with sarcoidosis. PAF was quantitated by a bioassay on washed rabbit platelets. The specificity of platelet aggregation was assessed by using two different PAF receptor antagonists. The incidence of detectable amounts of PAF in BAL fluid of sarcoid patients was statistically significant (chi 2 = 4.064, p = 0.044) when compared with the 14 normal control subjects. The results demonstrated an increased production of PAF in the lower respiratory tract of patients with sarcoidosis. The presence of PAF in BAL fluid, however, did not correlate with radiologic stage, intensity of alveolitis, gallium scanning positivity, angiotensin-converting enzyme serum level, or lung function tests. Therefore, a direct relationship between presence of PAF in BAL fluid and activity of lung disease in patients with sarcoidosis was not directly established.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria e Broncologia, Ospedale San Giovanni, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scappaticci
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Libertucci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bottomicca
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Da Col
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silvestro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tetta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Camussi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000737:chemistry*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A