Veterinary Neuropharmacology

PLATELET ACTIVATING FACTOR

• Like eicosanoids, platelet activating factor is a cell membrane derived lipid with intense biological activity.
• Platelet activating factor is a misleading name since it has its effects on a variety of other cells and is an important mediator in allergic, asthmatic and inflammatory responses.
• It is produced by neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells, basophils and platelets in response to various stimuli.
• It acts on specific G protein coupled receptors that are found in many cell types.
• Antigen-antibody reaction and a wide variety of mediators stimulate PAF synthesis in a Ca⁺⁺ dependent manner on demand.
• It is degraded and the acyl glycerophosphate formed gets incorporated in the membrane.