Changes of distribution of platelet activating factor in the lung of rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of platelet activating factor (PAF) in the hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.


METHODS
Fifteen of 30 male Wistar rats were exposed to hypoxia for 3 weeks, and another 15 rats served as controls. The pulmonary arterial pressure was examined by catheterization. The sections of rat lung were treated by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method to expose the location of PAF.


RESULTS
The rats developed pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy after hypoxic exposure. Under the light microscope, PAF is distributed on the vascular and alveolar walls of normal lung, and the content of PAF in the lung of rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension are remarkably higher than those of normoxic controls.


CONCLUSIONS
PAF plays not only a physiological role in the rat lung, but also a pathophysiologic role in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.
Chen
D
D
Department of Internal Medicine, First University Hospital, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu.
Chen
W
W
D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000378:metabolism; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000378:metabolism*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications*; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D010972:Platelet Activating Factor