Effects of MTX and BN52021 on PAF-induced chemotaxis of PMNs and intraepidermal accumulation of inflammatory cells in guinea pigs.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of methotrexate (MTX) and platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist ginkgolide B (BN52021) on PAF induced chemotaxis of neutrophils.


METHODS
All guinea pigs were randomly divided into 12 groups. They were given different dosages of MTX and BN52021 by intra-abdominal injections. The random and chemotactic migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were measured by the agarose method. The backs of all guinea pigs were given intradermal injections of PAF and the numbers of the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the skin were determined.


RESULTS
MTX inhibited random migration and chemotactic migration of PMNs to PAF, LTB4 and PAF-induced intraepidermal accumulation of inflammatory cells in dose- and time-dependent fashion. BN52021 specially inhibited PAF-induced chemotaxis of PMNs and intraepidermal accumulation of inflammatory cells, but did not inhibit PMNs random migration and LTB4-induced chemotaxis of PMNs.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhibition of PMNs activities may be part of the mechanism of MTX therapy for psoriasis; BN52021 is a selective inhibitor of PAF-induced chemotaxis of PMNs, and therefore can be useful in the treatment of some inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis.
Liu
B
B
Department of Dermatology, Shenyang Military General Hospital.
Zhang
H
H
Li
S
S
Chen
W
W
D000818:Animals; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004224:Diterpenes; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D046934:Ginkgolides; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009504:Neutrophils; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011897:Random Allocation
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004224:Diterpenes; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D046934:Ginkgolides; D007783:Lactones; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; C045856:ginkgolide B; D008727:Methotrexate