Abstract
The influence of the platelet activating factor (PAF) on ciliary activity in the tracheal mucosa was investigated using of an in vitro experimental method. In brief, mucosal cultures from the trachea in the guinea pig were cultured in a medium containing heparinized whole blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and/or 10-10-10-8M of PAF. The possible changes in ciliary activity in the above medium were then observed. The following results were obtained.
1) BALF had no effect on the ciliary activity.
2) 10-10-10-8M of PAF had no effect on the ciliary activity.
3) 10-10-10-8M of PAF had no effect on the ciliary activity in the presence of heparinized whole blood or the supernatant of BALF.
4) 10-10-10-8M of PAF depressed the ciliary activity in the presence of BALF in a dose-response fashion.
Therefore, it can be inferred from the study that alveolar macrophages are, at least partially, involved in PAF-induced ciliary depression.
